Femtosecond laser-materials interactions and applications to materials modification

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Ultrafast lasers producing extremely short light pulses on the femtosecond time frame have opened the door to a wide range of fundamental studies and novel applications. The duration of these light pulses is so short that energy is delivered to a material on a time frame fast compared with the relevant physical processes in the solid. The modification of the material can be achieved on very fine length scales extending to the nanometer regime. Ultrashort light pulses also directly enable the exploration of the extremely fast dynamics of the evolution of the target following ultrafast laser pulse irradiation. This proposal aims to launch a new phase of investigation in femtosecond laser ablation and micromachining which has been established in our group in recent years. Near term projects involve silicon photonics, modification of nano-scale targets including carbon nanotubes, and coherent nano-structuring of solid surfaces. TeraHertz radiation capabilities will be utilized in exploring laser processing dynamics and the final state of the targets. Our vision is to achieve a very high level of control of the light-matter interactions with increasingly predictable outcomes of ultrafast laser processing. Medium term projects will greatly enhance the selectivity in energy delivery to the targets through implementation of novel laser beam properties. At that stage, we plan to extend the work into the mid-infrared via facilities of the Advanced Laser Light Source, thereby exploring qualitatively new interaction regimes between laser radiation and materials. We will also utilize the cutting-edge capabilities of the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy to conduct fundamental in-situ experiments in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. With progress in laser and optical technologies, and key extensions into ultrafast mid-infrared, in the longer term we envision our research program taking us into the domain of biophysics. Our work through the period of the Discovery grant will lead to a much enhanced capability in laser-based materials modification, with benefits to Canada in terms of new materials for photonics and electronic applications, new laser and optoelectronic technologies, as well as advances in fundamental materials science.