Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films

We experimentally demonstrate ultrafast laser-writing wide-gamut structural colors on TiAlN thin film that is coated on TiN substrate via laser-induced surface oxidation. The experiments involve thorough control over laser parameters, including powers, scanning speeds and pulse durations, to investi...

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Main Authors: Liping Shi, Panpan Niu, Qilin Jiang, Ji Yan, Jiao Geng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Light Publishing Group 2025-04-01
Series:Light: Advanced Manufacturing
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Online Access:https://www.light-am.com/article/doi/10.37188/lam.2025.006
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author Liping Shi
Panpan Niu
Qilin Jiang
Ji Yan
Jiao Geng
author_facet Liping Shi
Panpan Niu
Qilin Jiang
Ji Yan
Jiao Geng
author_sort Liping Shi
collection DOAJ
description We experimentally demonstrate ultrafast laser-writing wide-gamut structural colors on TiAlN thin film that is coated on TiN substrate via laser-induced surface oxidation. The experiments involve thorough control over laser parameters, including powers, scanning speeds and pulse durations, to investigate the interplay between these variables and the resulting structural colors. Surface characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, are employed to analyze the properties of laser-induced oxide layers and their chromatic responses. Our findings indicate that while laser powers and scanning speeds are critical in determining the irradiated dose and the subsequent coloring effects, the pulse duration exerts a distinct influence, particularly at low laser powers as well as slow scanning speeds. Longer pulse durations are found to produce a more significant coloring change despite exhibiting lower oxygen content. This is attributed to the increased surface roughness and deeper oxidation layer achieved with prolonged pulses. We propose two oxidation mechanisms – photo-oxidation and thermal-oxidation – to elucidate the influence of pulse duration on laser coloring effects. These findings not only refine existing paradigms in laser-induced surface coloration but also stimulate further exploration of structural colors’ multifaceted applications across diverse technological contexts.
format Article
id doaj-art-9b5a1f8370bf4565959dbc9974848228
institution DOAJ
issn 2689-9620
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Light Publishing Group
record_format Article
series Light: Advanced Manufacturing
spelling doaj-art-9b5a1f8370bf4565959dbc99748482282025-08-20T03:23:34ZengLight Publishing GroupLight: Advanced Manufacturing2689-96202025-04-0161526110.37188/lam.2025.006Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid filmsLiping ShiPanpan Niu0Qilin Jiang1Ji YanJiao GengHangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, No. 8 Qiannong East Rd, Hangzhou, 311200, Zhejiang, ChinaHangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, No. 8 Qiannong East Rd, Hangzhou, 311200, Zhejiang, ChinaWe experimentally demonstrate ultrafast laser-writing wide-gamut structural colors on TiAlN thin film that is coated on TiN substrate via laser-induced surface oxidation. The experiments involve thorough control over laser parameters, including powers, scanning speeds and pulse durations, to investigate the interplay between these variables and the resulting structural colors. Surface characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, are employed to analyze the properties of laser-induced oxide layers and their chromatic responses. Our findings indicate that while laser powers and scanning speeds are critical in determining the irradiated dose and the subsequent coloring effects, the pulse duration exerts a distinct influence, particularly at low laser powers as well as slow scanning speeds. Longer pulse durations are found to produce a more significant coloring change despite exhibiting lower oxygen content. This is attributed to the increased surface roughness and deeper oxidation layer achieved with prolonged pulses. We propose two oxidation mechanisms – photo-oxidation and thermal-oxidation – to elucidate the influence of pulse duration on laser coloring effects. These findings not only refine existing paradigms in laser-induced surface coloration but also stimulate further exploration of structural colors’ multifaceted applications across diverse technological contexts.https://www.light-am.com/article/doi/10.37188/lam.2025.006structural colorsoptical thin filmsfemtosecond laser manufacturinglaser-oxidationultrafast dynamics
spellingShingle Liping Shi
Panpan Niu
Qilin Jiang
Ji Yan
Jiao Geng
Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
Light: Advanced Manufacturing
structural colors
optical thin films
femtosecond laser manufacturing
laser-oxidation
ultrafast dynamics
title Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
title_full Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
title_fullStr Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
title_full_unstemmed Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
title_short Ultrafast laser writing structural colors on TiAlN-TiN hybrid films
title_sort ultrafast laser writing structural colors on tialn tin hybrid films
topic structural colors
optical thin films
femtosecond laser manufacturing
laser-oxidation
ultrafast dynamics
url https://www.light-am.com/article/doi/10.37188/lam.2025.006
work_keys_str_mv AT lipingshi ultrafastlaserwritingstructuralcolorsontialntinhybridfilms
AT panpanniu ultrafastlaserwritingstructuralcolorsontialntinhybridfilms
AT qilinjiang ultrafastlaserwritingstructuralcolorsontialntinhybridfilms
AT jiyan ultrafastlaserwritingstructuralcolorsontialntinhybridfilms
AT jiaogeng ultrafastlaserwritingstructuralcolorsontialntinhybridfilms