Femtosecond Laser Micro/Nano-manufacturing: Theories, Measurements, Methods, and Applications

Femtosecond laser fabrication has grown to be a major method of extreme manufacturing because of the extreme energy density and spatial and temporal scales of femtosecond lasers. The physical effects and the mechanism of interaction between femtosecond lasers and materials are distinct from those in traditional processes. The nonlinear and nonequilibrium effects of the interaction have given rise to new concepts, principles, and methods, such as femtosecond pulse durations are shorter than many physical/chemical characteristic times, which permits manipulating, adjusting, or interfering with electron dynamics. These new concepts and methods have broad application prospects in micro/nanofabrication, chemical synthesis, material processing, quantum control, and other related fields. This review discusses the cutting-edge theories, methods, measurements, and applications of femtosecond lasers to micro/nano-manufacturing. The key to future development of femtosecond laser manufacturing lies in revealing its fabrication mechanism from the electronic level and precisely regulating the electronic dynamics.