Nanosecond Laser "Pulling" Patterning of Micro-Nano Structures on Zr-Based Metallic Glass

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Laser Processing

Background:

• Fabricating micro-nano structures on metallic glasses (MGs) is challenging due to their unique properties.
• Existing methods often lack flexibility and control for complex patterning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and investigate a novel nanosecond laser "pulling" method for patterning metallic glass surfaces.
• To explore the formation mechanism and evolution of laser-induced micro-nano structures on MGs.
• To demonstrate the fabrication of various micro-nano patterns for potential optical applications.

Main Methods:

• Observation of a new physical phenomenon in nanosecond laser-MG interaction: transformation from microgroove to micro-nano bulge.
• Development of a nanosecond laser "pulling" technique based on this phenomenon.
• Detailed investigation of the formation mechanism and evolution of the micro-nano bulge.
• Fabrication of diverse micro-nano structures including stripes, pillars, and geometric shapes.

Main Results:

• A critical peak laser power intensity was identified for the micro-nano bulge formation.
• Various micro-nano structures (unidirectional stripe, pillar, cross-hatch, "JLU", circle, triangle, square) were successfully fabricated.
• The generated micro-nano structures influence the surface optical diffraction properties.
• The method demonstrated high flexibility and controllability in patterning MG surfaces.

Conclusions:

• The proposed nanosecond laser "pulling" method provides a highly flexible and controllable approach for micro-nano structure fabrication on metallic glasses.
• This technique overcomes limitations of previous methods and enables the creation of complex patterns.
• The ability to tailor surface structures opens possibilities for new functional applications of metallic glasses.