Ultrafast Laser Processing: Micromachning and Texturing. Pr. Arnaud Weck, Ph.D., P. Eng.
Centre for Research in Photonics Nexus for Quantum Technologies, Departements of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Ultrafast Laser Processing:
Micromachining and Texturing
Ultrafast lasers have emerged as a powerful platform for advanced manufacturing.Their short pulse durations, high peak powers, and high repetition rates enable highprecision material processing over large areas while minimizing thermal damage to thesurrounding material. As a result, ultrafast lasers have found widespread use in industrial applications requiring advanced material processing.
In this talk, I will present my research group’s work on ultrafast laser micromachining and texturing. Our micromachining studies include surface and bulk engraving, microvoid and crack formation for fracture studies, shadow-mask fabrication, and machining small specimens to extract mechanical properties. Our work on laser texturing spans the wettability of metals and polymers after ultrafast laser irradiation,
cell adhesion on laser textured titanium surfaces, and laser-induced colours in metals and polymers.
In the first part of this talk, I will present two laser micromachining studies: the fabrication of precision cuts in brittle silicon nitride (SiN) membranes and the creation of high-aspect-ratio grooves in metals, which we studied using x-ray tomography. In the second part of the talk, I will present two laser texturing studies aimed at obtaining structural colours. The first focuses on texturing metallic surfaces to obtain colours, highlighting the role of surface plasmons, oxides, and laser-induced periodic surface structures. The second demonstrates laser-induced colour formation in polymer nanocomposites via the activation of surface plasmons at embedded nanoparticles. I will conclude by discussing the potential of ultrafast lasers to contribute to a more sustainable future through applications in battery manufacturing and catalysis.
