Buffer Layer Assisted Laser Patterning of Metals on Surfaces

Abstract

A new method is presented for a single pulse laser patterning of metallic thin films. This process is used to form submicron, variable width metallic wires. By employing laser desorption of a physisorbed buffer gas, a grating of gold has been patterned on a Ru(100) substrate under UHV conditions. Upon annealing, the physisorbed layer desorbs and the patterned metallic clusters softly land and strongly attach to the substrate. This versatile technique can be employed with practically any metallic element or molecular species.