Laser/Microstructure Interaction and Ultrafast Heat Transfer

The book "Laser/Microstructure Interaction and Ultrafast Heat Transfer" by Alexander Heltzel offers a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between laser radiation and microstructures, which are crucial for the fabrication of quantum devices and high-density storage media. It demonstrates how these interactions can overcome the diffraction limit to produce nanoscale surface modifications both locally and in parallel. The text addresses two fundamental issues necessary for predictive optical nanolithography: the electrodynamic response of laser energy near micro and nanostructures, as well as energy transport through the target material. By employing advanced numerical techniques, three-dimensional electromagnetic fields in the near field of irradiated microstructures are resolved. Energy transfer through the substrate is then modeled using conventional thermal conductivity formulas and the ultrafast electron density evolution. The combined solutions from electrodynamics and heat transfer lead to lithographic predictions that are experimentally validated. Furthermore, the interaction between lasers and optically dispersive nanostructures is explored for photonic and plasmonic applications.