Beyond the Microscale: Advances in Surface Nanopatterning by Laser-Driven Self-Organization

Designing complex local properties that seamlessly integrate efficient functions into processed materials presents a formidable challenge. A promising solution has emerged in the form of ultrafast laser-surface structuring. Through time-controlled polarization ultrafast irradiation at the picosecond timescale, spontaneous self-organization of surfaces can be induced. The thermal gradient length scale unfolds on the micro- and nanoscale, instigating thermoconvection that leads to structured surfaces upon quenching. Convective instabilities dynamically shape intricate yet self-regulated periodic relief structures. The ability to achieve laser-induced self-organization in both surface dimensions holds immense scientific importance, as it unlocks the potential to create uniform periodic 2D patterns by harnessing the inherent regulation of nonlinear dynamics processes in fluids. This comprehensive review explores recent advances in understanding and leveraging ultrafast laser-induced self-organization for precise patterning across versatile scales and applications. The insights herein hold the potential to drive significant advancements in nanoscale manufacturing through 2D laser-induced periodic surface structures.