Genotype-inspired laser material processing: a new experimental approach and potential applications to protean materials

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2008-10, Vol.93 (1), p.75-83
• Main Authors: Livingston, F. E., Steffeney, L. F., Helvajian, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Genomes; Glass ceramics; Laser processing; Lasers; Machines; Manufacturing; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Patterning; Photons; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Scripts; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-008-4665-1

We have developed a new direct-write experimental technique that enables the delivery of preprogrammed laser pulse scripts to a substrate with high fidelity during patterning and motion sequences. The laser technique can be readily applied to fundamental investigations of complex laser–material interaction phenomena, and easily integrated into laser–material processing schemes for commercial and industrial applications. The laser direct-write technique has been crafted by association with the genome and genotype concepts, where predetermined and prescribed laser pulse scripts are synchronously linked with the tool path geometry, and each concatenated pulse sequence is intended to express a specific material attribute. This laser processing method is particularly well suited for protean or mutable materials that can be altered with extreme sensitivity by the application of high precision photon exposures. We envision that multifunctional materials can be altered on a localized scale to create integrated “devices” on a common substrate. The synchronized laser pulse amplitude modulation scheme and application to a candidate photosensitive glass ceramic are the focus of this paper.