Femtosecond-laser-induced nanostructure formation and surface modification of diamond-like carbon film

This paper reports the pump and probe experiment for in situ reflectivity measurements in the femtosecond laser ablation that brings about nanoscale modification of diamond-like carbon (DLC) film. The characteristic reflectivity changes observed demonstrate that the formation of periodic nanostructure is preceded by a change in bonding structure of DLC in the ablation at low fluences. We have observed a coherent nonlinear wave-mixing signal that can resolve the ultrafast interaction processes for the nanoscale modification on the film surface. Based on the results obtained, a model of the interaction process is proposed.