Periodically ordered structure changes in metal nanoparticle-containing plasma polymer films by laser irradiation

The optical and electric properties of nanocomposite materials consisting of metallic nanoparticles in dielectric matrices are mainly determined by the shape, size, and spatial arrangement of the nanoparticles. In order to make such materials more attractive for possible applications, simple and inexpensive technologies for a controlled manipulation of the nanoparticles are necessary. In Ref. 1 we have introduced such simple method for the maskless formation of arrays of line -like, periodically arranged structures in plasma polymer films containing metal nanoparticles by using polarized femtosecond laser pulses. In the meantime, wie have conducted a serial of experimental studies to understand the unterlying mechanisms of struckture formation in more detail.