Drake R. Austin

Time-resolved measurement of single pulse femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure formation induced by a pre-fabricated surface groove.

Time-resolved diffraction microscopy technique has been used to observe the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) from the interaction of a single femtosecond laser pulse (pump) with a nano-scale groove mechanically formed on a single-crystal Cu substrate. The interaction dynamics (0-1200 ps) was captured by diffracting a time-delayed, frequency-doubled pulse (probe) from nascent LIPSS formation induced by the pump with an infinity-conjugate microscopy setup. The LIPSS ripples are observed to form asynchronously, with the first one forming after 50 ps and others forming sequentially outward from the groove edge at larger time delays. A 1-D analytical model of electron heating including both the laser pulse and surface plasmon polariton excitation at the groove edge predicts ripple period, melt spot diameter, and qualitatively explains the asynchronous time-evolution of LIPSS formation.

Laser induced periodic surface structure formation in germanium by strong field mid IR laser solid interaction at oblique incidence.

Laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS or ripples) were generated on single crystal germanium after irradiation with multiple 3 µm femtosecond laser pulses at a 45° angle of incidence. High and low spatial frequency LIPSS (HSFL and LSFL, respectively) were observed for both s- and p-polarized light. The measured LSFL period for p-polarized light was consistent with the currently established LIPSS origination model of coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and the incident laser pulses. A vector model of SPP coupling is introduced to explain the formation of s-polarized LSFL away from the center of the damage spot. Additionally, a new method is proposed to determine the SPP propagation length from the decay in ripple depth. This is used along with the measured LSFL period to estimate the average electron density and Drude collision time of the laser-excited surface. Finally, full-wave electromagnetic simulations are used to corroborate these results while simultaneously offering insight into the nature of LSFL formation.

High spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structure formation in germanium by mid-IR femtosecond pulses

Formation of high spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structures (HSFL) in germanium by femtosecond mid-IR pulses with wavelengths between

Few-cycle pulse laser induced damage threshold determination of ultra-broadband optics

\lambda=2.0

Measurement of femtosecond laser damage thresholds at mid IR wavelengths

and

Relativistic electron acceleration by mJ-class kHz lasers normally incident on liquid targets

3.6 \; \mathrm{\mu m}

Ultra-fast bandgap photonics in mid-IR wavelengths

was studied with varying angle of incidence and polarization. The period of these structures varied from

Determination of ultra-short laser induced damage threshold of KH2PO4 crystal: Numerical calculation and experimental verification

\lambda/3

Ultrafast excitation of conduction-band electrons by high-intensity ultrashort laser pulses in band-gap solids: Vinogradov equation versus Drude model

to

Simulations of ultrafast laser-induced excitation and heating of electron sub-system of semiconductors with the Vinogradov equation and multi-band Keldysh formula

\lambda/8