Fabrication of versatile functional surface properties based on femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS)

The formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) was investigated on different types of materials such as metals, glasses and composites. For this purpose, the broad spectrum of processing parameters (e.g., laser wavelength, beam polarization, peak fluence and pulse number) was used to precisely adjust the properties of the resulting ripple pattern. The formation process and potential applications were discussed, among other things, using the example of mechano-responsive changes in structural colors, heterogeneous wetting of substrate surfaces, and the tribological properties of composite materials selectively structured with LIPSS. Our studies provide qualitative insights into the LIPSS formation process and present potential applications of the structured surfaces in the fields of sensors, microfluidic devices, and implant materials.