Fundamentals of Laser-Material Interaction and Application to Multiscale Surface Modification

Lasers provide the ability to accurately deliver large amounts of energy into confined regions of a material in order to achieve a desired response. For opaque materials, this energy is absorbed near the surface, modifying surface chemistry, crystal structure, and/or multiscale morphology without altering the bulk. This chapter covers a brief introduction to the fundamental principles governing laser propagation and absorption as well as the resulting material responses. We then highlight two case studies of improving efficiency in photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices as well as optimizing cell-surface interactions in biological interfaces.