Kai Yin

Superamphiphobic miniature boat fabricated by laser micromachining

We fabricated a superamphiphobic miniature boat with marked drag reduction and excellent loading capacity using femtosecond laser direct writing technology. The as-prepared superamphiphobic surface of the boat exhibited apparent contact angles larger than 150° toward both water and oil. Miniature boats with the superamphiphobic surface slid effortlessly on both water and oil-polluted water surfaces, with an increase in sliding distance by up to 52% and load increase of up to 27% compared with those of a boat with an untreated surface. A potential mechanism that explains the excellent performance of the superamphiphobic miniature boat was also discussed. This work provides a simple and economically viable strategy to obtain advanced surfaces for use in microfluidics and marine engineering.

Underwater superoleophobicity, anti-oil and ultra-broadband enhanced absorption of metallic surfaces produced by a femtosecond laser inspired by fish and chameleons.

Reported here is the bio-inspired and robust function of underwater superoleophobic, anti-oil metallic surfaces with ultra-broadband enhanced optical absorption obtained through femtosecond laser micromachining. Three distinct surface structures are fabricated using a wide variety of processing parameters. Underwater superoleophobic and anti-oil surfaces containing coral-like microstructures with nanoparticles and mount-like microstructures are achieved. These properties of the as-prepared surfaces exhibit good chemical stability when exposed to various types of oils and when immersed in water with a wide range of pH values. Moreover, coral-like microstructures with nanoparticle surfaces show strongly enhanced optical absorption over a broadband wavelength range from 0.2–25 μm. The potential mechanism for the excellent performance of the coral-like microstructures with a nanoparticle surface is also discussed. This multifunctional surface has potential applications in military submarines, amphibious military aircraft and tanks, and underwater anti-oil optical counter-reconnaissance devices.

One-step fabrication of annular microstructures based on improved femtosecond laser Bessel–Gaussian beam shaping

In this work, a favorable approach is proposed for the high-efficiency fabrication of annular microstructures by shaping femtosecond Gaussian laser into Bessel–Gaussian beam. An adjustable annular beam is generated by a combination of an axicon, a lens, and an objective. Uniform annular microstructures are fabricated on the surface of fused silica in a single illumination step with only one pulse and without stage translation, the parameters of which are coincident with theoretical design. By adjusting the relative distance between the lens and objective, the diameters of the annular microstructures can be flexibly controlled in a wide range. In addition, it has been discussed that the effects of laser pulse energy and off-focus on the depth and line-width of the fabricated annuli.

Robust laser-structured asymmetrical PTFE mesh for underwater directional transportation and continuous collection of gas bubbles

We report a simple, efficient method to fabricate micro/nanoscale hierarchical structures on one side of polytetrafluoroethylene mesh surfaces, using one-step femtosecond laser direct writing technology. The laser-treated surface exhibits superhydrophobicity in air and superaerophilicity in water, resulting in the mesh possessing the hydrophobic/superhydrophobic asymmetrical property. Bubbles can pass through the mesh from the untreated side to the laser-treated side but cannot pass through the mesh in the opposite direction. The asymmetrical mesh can therefore be designed for the directional transportation and continuous collection of gas bubbles in aqueous environments. Furthermore, the asymmetrical mesh shows excellent stability during corrosion and abrasion tests. These findings may provide an efficient route for fabricating a durable asymmetrical mesh for the directional and continuous transport of gas bubbles.

Underwater giant enhancement of broadband diffraction efficiency of surface diffraction gratings fabricated by femtosecond laser

In this study, a simple approach is proposed to improve the diffraction efficiency of surface diffraction gratings on fused silica fabricated by femtosecond laser. Effects of grating period, pulse energy, scanning speed and wavelength on the total diffraction efficiency are also investigated. In addition, the mechanism of the diffraction efficiencys giant enhancement is discussed by finite difference time domain (FDTD) and optical phase shift structure calculation. It is revealed that: (1) Compared with the diffraction efficiency obtained in air, the underwater image via diffraction grating is clearer than that in air and diffraction pattern in water is much brighter; (2) The diffraction efficiency increases with an increase in wavelength and scanning speed, whereas it decreases while the laser pulse energy is high; and (3) This giant enhancement is attributed to the degree of Mie scattering and refraction, which is effectively reduced for the existence of water.

Temperature sensitivity enhancement of platinum-nanoparticle-coated long period fiber gratings fabricated by femtosecond laser

The temperature sensing performance of long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) written by femtosecond laser pulses coated with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) is proposed and demonstrated. It is found that the PtNPs increase the wavelength sensitivity of the LPFG significantly compared with the bare LPFG. The temperature sensitivities of the bare LPFG for three dips, corresponding to 1438, 1485, and 1585 nm, are 74.04, 77.23, and 86.26  pm/°C, respectively, when the temperature changes from 10°C to 500°C, whereas the corresponding sensitivities of PtNP coated LPFGs are up to 90.58, 93.51, and 103.43  pm/°C, respectively. Moreover, the PtNP coated LPFG has shown better wavelength repeatability. A small wavelength hysteresis of ∼0.5  nm is observed when the temperature is less than 300°C.

Microcavity Mach–Zehnder Interferometer Sensors for Refractive Index Sensing

Two types of robust Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensors based on microcavity in a single mode optical fibers (SMFs) are proposed, which are fabricated by femtosecond laser inscription and chemical etching. The SMFs are modified by an improved point-by-point inscription method (called a transversal-scanning method) or a line-by-line scanning inscription method, which lead to form a rectangular-shaped or a V-shaped MZI after etching. The MZIs show high refractive index (RI) sensitivity above 105 nm/RIU with good linearity. Especially, the rectangular-shaped MZI exhibits a ultra-high RI sensitivity of -17503.73 nm/RIU with a linearity of 0.999 in the range of 1.3371-1.3407. The results of which are coincident with theoretical calculation. In addition, the MZI structures have good mechanical strength and temperature sensitivities in water are also studied.

Quasi-periodic concave microlens array for liquid refractive index sensing fabricated by femtosecond laser assisted with chemical etching

In this study, a high-efficiency single-pulsed femtosecond laser assisted with chemical wet etching method has been proposed to obtain large-area concave microlens array (MLA). The quasi-periodic MLA consisting of about two million microlenses with tunable diameter and sag height by adjusting laser scanning speed and etching time is uniformly manufactured on fused silica and sapphire within 30 minutes. Moreover, the fabricated MLA behaves excellent optical focusing and imaging performance, which could be used to sense the change of the liquid refractive index (RI). In addition, it is demonstrated that small period and high RI of MLA could acquire high sensitivity and broad dynamic measurement range, respectively. Furthermore, the theoretical diffraction efficiency is calculated by the finite domain time difference (FDTD) method, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.

Laser Structuring of Underwater Bubble-Repellent Surface

Bubbles in aqueous media are pervasive and unavoidable. However, underwater gas bubbles adhesion to the metal pipework can sometimes seriously damage the surface and reduce the useful life of devices. Herein, we report a simple way to fabricate underwater bubble-repellent surface by one-step femtosecond laser direct writing technology. The as-prepared surface exhibits superhydrophilicity in air and superaerophobicity in water, and the bubble contact angles reach 159±2.5° in water. The surface presents ultralow bubble adhesion, and the rolling angle of the bubble is small. The potential mechanism is also discussed. This method offers an easy route to prepare underwater superaerophobic surfaces with ultralow bubble adhesion, and it has potential applications in underwater bubble-repelling facilities.

Ultrafast Achievement of a Superhydrophilic/Hydrophobic Janus Foam by Femtosecond Laser Ablation for Directional Water Transport and Efficient Fog Harvesting

Water scarcity is a serious global challenge, especially in arid and desert regions. Functional devices for directional water transport and fog collection have received increasing attention. Existing methods and technologies suffer from low fog-collecting efficiencies, complicated fabrication processes, and high fabrication costs. Herein, we report a simple and low-cost method to rapidly fabricate nanoparticle-covered microstructures on one side of a copper foam surface, using one-step femtosecond laser direct writing technology, which enormously improved processing efficiency. The resulting foam exhibits superhydrophilic/hydrophobic Janus properties. The foam allows water droplets to pass from the hydrophobic side to the superhydrophilic side, but not in the opposite direction. The Janus foam can therefore be used for harvesting water in fog environments, and the maximum water-collecting efficiency is 3.7 g cm-2 h-1, which is much better than existing data. The Janus foam exhibits excellent stability during abrasion and hydraulic wash tests. This water-collecting design may provide an efficient route for overcoming future water shortages.