Large area one-step fabrication of three-level multiple-scaled micro and nanostructured nickel sleeves for roll-to-roll hot embossing

Direct laser interference patterning enabled the fabrication of three level multiple-scaled microstructures on nickel surfaces using infrared picosecond laser pulses. While the largest spatial period (1.5 to 5.7mm) could be controlled by adjusting the angle between the interfering laser beams and the laser wavelength, low and high spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structures with pitches of approximately 800nm and 160nm, respectively, were also observed. Using a set of optimized processing parameters, large area Ni-sleeves were treated. These sleeves were later employed in preliminarily investigations of roll-to-roll high throughput hot-embossing of polymer foils.