Optimizing Cu-alloy surface characteristics through magnetic field-enhanced fs laser treatment

We report here the effect of the magnetic field on plasma parameters and the surface structuring of the Cu alloy after fs laser irradiation. A Ti:Sapphire (800 nm, 35 fs, 1 KHz) laser is employed at various irradiances (0.011–0.117 PW/cm2) to generate plasma. A Transvers Magnetic Field (TMF) of strength 1.1 T is employed for plasma confinement. All the measurements were performed with and without TMF. The Cu plasma parameters, i.e., excitation temperature (Texc) and electron number sensity (ne), determined by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis, are higher in the presence of TMF. This magnetic field confinement of Cu plasma was studied analytically by evaluating thermal beta (βt), directional beta (βd), confinement radius (Rb), and diffusion time (td). To correlate Cu-alloy plasma parameters with surface modifications, field emission scanning electron microscope analysis is performed. It reveals the formation of low-spatial-frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) and high-spatial-frequency LIPSSs, along with agglomers and nano-rims formation. Distinct and well-defined structures are observed in the presence of a magnetic field. It is concluded that controlled surface structuring can be achieved through magnetic confinement, which enhances key plasma parameters. The technique has the potential for enhancing the fabrication of nano-gratings and field emitters, where spatial uniformity is critically important.