Effect of film thickness on laser induced surface structures formation on optically transparent polymer films

•Laser-induced periodic surface structures can be prepared on transparent polymer thin films by using a bilayer approach.•The ferroelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE) is nanostructured by nanostructuring a P3HT layer underneath.•The range of thicknesses of the upper layer which leads to the formation of LIPSS has been determined.•For thick upper layers no periodic structures are formed due to mechanical restriction.•The upper nanostructured surface layer keeps the ferroelectric properties.