Well-ordered “tooth-shaped” silver-microstructures on poly(methyl methacrylate) patterned by laser writing

A method for the preparation of “tooth-shaped” periodical, silver structures on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is described. The method consists in laser beam patterning of porphyrine doped PMMA coated with thin silver film. Laser light absorption caused local PMMA heating, followed by distortion of PMMA surface layer and cutting of top silver film. The laser patterning was accomplished in two perpendicular directions, leading to creation of “tooth-shaped” silver microstructures. Analyses by AFM, SEM and EDS techniques shown that the structures prepared in this way consist of periodically arranged elements with elevated edges, partially covered by silver islands. Such ordered structures may find application in optics and optoelectronics.