Laser-induced sub-half-micrometer periodic structure on polymer surfaces

Abstract

Periodic structures of sub-half-micrometer size are produced on the surface of different polymers [poly(ethylene terephthalate)], polyimide-type Kapton (DuPont), and polyimide-type XU 293 (Ciba-Geigy)] by Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 266 nm wavelength. The obtained relief is observed by scanning electron microscopy characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and an atomic force microscopy. A phenomenological explanation for the ripple formation in terms of generating waveguide modes on the polymer surface is proposed.