Laser pulse induced micropatterning on sandwiched thin films

We introduce a routine for surface micropatterning. Our samples are sandwiched “ZnS–SiO2/PtOx/ZnS–SiO2” thin films. The driving energy comes from a laser pulse. The sample is initially exposed to the laser pulse. When the laser pulse is switched off, a bubble is formed. The stain inside the bubble generates a stress wave which diffuses radially along the surface. The stress wave induces concentric micropatterns on the surface and the process of micropatterning lasts a considerably long time. Finally, concentric and periodic patterns are formed permanently on the sample surface, and the experimental results also demonstrate that the routine is feasible for surface micropatterning.