2D MATERIAL DEPOSITION BY A LASER INDUCED PHOTO-THERMAL MICRO-BUBBLE

The laser-induced microbubble technique (LIMBT) has been developed recently for micro-patterning of various materials. In this method, a laser beam is focused on a dispersion of nanoparticles (NPs), leading to the formation of a microbubble due to laser heating. Convection currents around the microbubble carry NPs that are then pinned to the bubble/substrate interface. Moving the focused beam results in migration of the microbubble and the deposition of material at the bubble/substrate contact area.

We found that controlling the construction and destruction of the microbubble, through modulation of the laser, enables the formation of continuous patterns by preventing the microbubble from being pinned to the deposited material. Moreover, we show that a similar mechanism could explain microstructure formation from an ion solution. Photo-thermal reduction leads to formation of NPs that are then pinned to the bubble/substrate interface. This innovative approach can be applicable for producing thin conductive patterns and allow fabrication of electronic devices and sensors.