Search

A novel method of fabricating large‐area, low‐cost surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates is introduced which yields densely nanostructured surfaces utilizing laser‐induced periodic surface structuring (LIPSS) of crystalline silicon (Si). Two different interaction regimes yield low spatial frequency (LSFL) and high spatial frequency (HSFL) LIPSS patterns. Nanostructuring of Si surface is followed by deposition of a thin noble metal layer to complete the fabrication procedure. A 50–70 nm thick Ag layer is shown to maximize the SERS performance. The SERS effect is attributed to the electromagnetic field enhancement originating from the nanoscale surface roughness of Si that can be controlled by LSFL and HSFL nature of the structure. The SERS substrates are found to be capable of detecting a Raman analyte down to 10−11 m. SERS performance of the Ag deposited substrates at 532, 660, and 785 nm excitation wavelengths is compared. Both LSFL and HSFL Si surfaces with 70 nm thick Ag are found to exhibit the strongest SERS under 660 nm excitation exhibiting Raman enhancement factors (EFs) as high as 109. The Raman EFs are calculated both by SERS spectra experimentally, and using finite‐elements method simulation of the electric field enhancement where a good agreement is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that the alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) can be realised by rubbing or photoalignment technologies. Recently, nonlinear laser lithography (NLL) was introduced as a fast, relatively low-cost method for large area nano-grating fabrication based on laser-induced periodic surface structuring. In this letter for the first time, the usage of the NLL as a perspective method of the alignment of nematics was presented. By NLL, nanogrooves with about 0.92 μm period were formed on Ti layer. The nanostructured Ti layer (NSTL) was coated with oxidianiline- polyimide film with annealing of the polymer followed without any further processing. Aligning properties of NSTLs were examined with combined twist LC cell. The dependencies of the twist angle of LC cells and azimuthal anchoring energy (AE) of layers on scanning speed and power of laser beam during processing of the Ti layer were the focus of our studies as well. The maximum azimuthal AE, obtained for pure NSTL, is comparable with photoalignment technology. It was found that the deposition of polyimide film on NSTL leads to the gain effect of the azimuthal AE. Also, atomic force microscopy (AFM) study of aligning surfaces was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon is an excellent material for microelectronics and integrated photonics [1]- [3], with untapped potential for mid-infrared optics [4]. Despite broad recognition of the importance of the third dimension [5], [6], current lithography methods do not allow the fabrication of photonic devices and functional microelements directly inside silicon chips. Even relatively simple curved geometries cannot be realized with techniques like reactive ion etching. Embedded optical elements [7], electronic devices and better electronic-photonic integration are lacking [8]. Here, we demonstrate laser-based fabrication of complex 3D structures deep inside silicon using 1-µm-sized dots and rod-like structures of adjustable length as basic building blocks. The laser-modified Si has an optical index different to that in unmodified parts, enabling the creation of numerous photonic devices. Optionally, these parts can be chemically etched to produce desired 3D shapes. We exemplify a plethora of subsurface—that is, ‘in-chip’—microstructures for microfluidic cooling of chips, vias, micro-electro-mechanical systems, photovoltaic applications and photonic devices that match or surpass corresponding state-of-the-art device performances. By exploiting dynamics arising from nonlinear laser-material interactions, functional microelements and arbitrarily complex 3D architectures deep inside silicon are fabricated with 1 μm resolution, without damaging the silicon above or below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamical systems based on the interplay of nonlinear feedback mechanisms are ubiquitous in nature. Well-understood examples from photonics include mode locking and a broad class of fractal optics, including self-similarity. In addition to the fundamental interest in such systems, fascinating technical functionalities that are difficult or even impossible to achieve with linear systems can emerge naturally from them if the right control tools can be applied. Here, we demonstrate a method that exploits positive nonlocal feedback to initiate, and negative local feedback to regulate, the growth of ultrafast laser-induced metal-oxide nanostructures with unprecedented uniformity, at high speed, low cost and on non-planar or flexible surfaces. The nonlocal nature of the feedback allows us to stitch the nanostructures seamlessly, enabling coverage of indefinitely large areas with subnanometre uniformity in periodicity. We demonstrate our approach through the fabrication of titanium dioxide and tungsten oxide nanostructures, but it can also be extended to a large variety of other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New method of experimental determination of local field enhancement at metal nanoparticles is suggested. It uses surface plasmon as a probe. Alternating-sign shift of surface plasmon resonance in copper nanoparticles incorporated in silica matrix has been observed under irradiation by intense femtosecond laser pulse. The red shift of plasmon observed during the action of pump pulse is interpreted as a result of change of dielectric constant of silica matrix due to optical Kerr effect in electric field of pump pulse enhanced in a vicinity of metal nanoparticles. The field enhancement factor is estimated from the value of the observed red shift of plasmon resonance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a simple, robust, femtosecond chirped-pulse-amplification system, based on Er- and Er-Yb-doped fibers, operating at a central wavelength of 1555 nm. The entire system is constructed from commercially available fiber components, except the grating compressor, for easy duplication by other researchers. The laser system produces chirped pulses with up to 4μJ of pulse energy at 250 kHz. After dechirping, the pulse duration is 410 fs and the pulse energy is reduced to 2μJ. The repetition rate of the laser is electronically tunable between 125 kHz and 60 MHz, limited by strong amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generation at the low end. The amplifier system is almost completely fiber integrated, except for the pump delivery into the final amplifier stage, which is free-space backward-pumped to reduce undesired nonlinear effects, and the compressor which was designed using the gratings. The laser is practically free of misalignment and has exhibited excellent long-term stability during its use in various experiments for more than 600 working hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatio-temporal transformation of the femtosecond laser pulses at 1550 nm wavelength in c-Si is observed using the methods of time-resolved microscopy. The temporal dynamics of the pulse manifests itself both in widening of the frequency spectrum and in the change of on-axis time-width. It is shown, that along with Kerr effect, two-photon absorption also contributes to the temporal reshaping of the laser pulse. Despite the fact that absorption length for green light in c-Si is as small as 1 µm, generation of visible third harmonics was also observed in c-Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A profoundly fundamental question at the interface between physics and biology remains open: what are the minimum requirements for emergence of complex behaviour from nonliving systems? Here, we address this question and report complex behaviour of tens to thousands of colloidal nanoparticles in a system designed to be as plain as possible: the system is driven far from equilibrium by ultrafast laser pulses that create spatiotemporal temperature gradients, inducing Marangoni flow that drags particles towards aggregation; strong Brownian motion, used as source of fluctuations, opposes aggregation. Nonlinear feedback mechanisms naturally arise between flow, aggregate and Brownian motion, allowing fast external control with minimal intervention. Consequently, complex behaviour, analogous to those seen in living organisms, emerges, whereby aggregates can self-sustain, self-regulate, self-replicate, self-heal and can be transferred from one location to another, all within seconds. Aggregates can comprise only one pattern or bifurcated patterns can coexist, compete, endure or perish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]