The spatial emergence of laser-induced periodic surface structures under lateral displacement irradiation conditions

Recently, laser-induced periodic surface structures, abbreviated LIPSS, gained interest, because potential applications are seen in the field of surface functionalisation. The feasibility to produce LIPSS and the potential to influence surface functionality have been shown. But so far, the implementation as an industrial manufacturing process is limited. Whereas industrial laser sources and systems are available, knowledge about the application of this process was lacking. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was, to investigate the relation between certain laser irradiation parameters and the spatial emergence of LIPSS. This subject has been studied theoretically and experimentally. The research was triggered by potential applications for different industrial markets, as, for example, automotive engineering, semiconductor equipment and biomedical engineering. Driven by customer needs, companies have an economical interest to improve existing products. With respect to the mentioned industrial markets, contact mechanical, tribological or biomechanical surface phenomena play an important role and the growing understanding contributes to the improvement of surface functions of industrial components. To implement an improved design for an existing component, the manufacturing chain needs to be adapted for an additional structuring process. This requires to select a manufacturing technology and additional manufacturing steps. The new design defines requirements on manufacturing technologies. In the case of the above-mentioned phenomena it is required to structure surfaces on a micrometre and even nanometre scale.