Open AccessFunctionalization of freeform curved surfaces by shaped femtosecond laser pulses in the propagation axis
Author(s) -
Andong Wang,
Lan Jiang,
Xiaowei Li,
Jianwei Huang,
Zhijie Xu,
Zhipeng Wang,
Zhulin Yao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.418663
Subject(s) - materials science , femtosecond , optics , laser , ultrashort pulse , fabrication , surface modification , grating , reflection (computer programming) , spatial light modulator , optoelectronics , physics , computer science , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , programming language , chemical engineering , engineering
With ultrashort pulse durations and ultrahigh peak intensities, ultrafast lasers can create different types of micro/nano-structures to functionalize the processed surface with new properties. However, the applications of this method on freeform surfaces are still limited by the short length of a laser focusing spot and complex control of the 3D moving trajectory in the fabrication process. In this paper, we overcome this problem by shaping the on-axis intensity along the propagation axis using the spatial light modulator. By designing the phase mask, we increased the length of the stable-intensity zone (intensity fluctuation < 10%) by more than 3 times compared to that of an unshaped Bessel beam. The energy deposition was also optimized to be less than 2% fluctuation based on simulations. Using this method, we fabricated micro/nano structures on 3D surfaces at different fluences and demonstrated various properties including colorization, anti-reflection, and hydrophobicity in large height range. We demonstrated the applications of the proposed method in creating hydrophobicity on complex freeform syringe tip surfaces. This improved the minimum manipulatable volume of a liquid droplet to 2 times smaller compared with untreated syringe, thus greatly extending its performance for micro-droplet manipulation. This method offers an alternative approach for reliable and affordable freeform curved-surface processing.