Colorizing stainless steel surface by femtosecond laser induced micro/nano-structures

• Published in: Applied surface science 2011-06, Vol.257 (17), p.7771-7777
• Main Authors: Ahsan, Md. Shamim, Ahmed, Farid, Kim, Yeong Gyu, Lee, Man Seop, Jun, Martin B.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Azimuthal angle; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; Femtosecond; Femtosecond laser; Impact phenomena (including electron spectra and sputtering); Incident angle; Incident light; Laser-beam impact phenomena; Lasers; Micrograting; Microhole; Microholes; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Physics; Self-organized nanograting; Stainless steels
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.04.027

[Display omitted] ► We demonstrate colorizing of stainless steel by laser induced periodic microholes. ► We also colorized stainless steel by femtosecond laser induced micro/nano-gratings. ► Variety of colors (single/multi-color) is produced on stainless steel surfaces. ► Color of the multi-color metals depends on incident/azimuthal angle of light. ► We explain the mechanism that facilitates color changes on stainless steel surfaces. We demonstrate colorizing of stainless steel surfaces by femtosecond laser induced periodic microholes and micro/nano-gratings on sample surfaces. Suitable adjustment of laser induced features on stainless steel surfaces offer a variety of colors, including multi-color, gold, and black. We also report that multi-color metal surfaces exhibit diverse colors when they are exposed to the incident light of different incident and azimuthal angles. Finally, we briefly explain how the femtosecond laser induced micro/nano scale features introduce different colors on stainless steel surfaces.