Anisotropic properties of laser-irradiated metal nanoparticle-containing plasma polymer films

The nanostructural properties of metal containing plasma polymer films can be modified drastically by the irradiation with linearly polarized, femtosecond laser pulses. The interaction of the metal nanoparticles with the oriented, intense electric field leads to the formation of line-like, periodically arranged nanoparticle structures in the laser-treated area. These structural modifications are characterized by longish regions with obvious changes in particle size and shape distribution which alternate with regions without apparent particle changes. We have introduced this technique already in former work.