Nanostructures from Laser-Ablated Nanohole Templates

Abstract

Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for solution casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
 preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;   replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template; and   after the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymer solution comprises one of: cellulose acetate in acetone, polycaprolactone (PCL) in chloroform, PCL-polyethylene glycol in chloroform, polydimethylsiloxane in heptane, polymethylmethacrylate in toluene, polyvinyl alcohol in de-ionized water, and collodion in amyl acetate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is capable of forming a continuous film. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the polymer is capable of forming a continuous film through the application of external energy. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polymer solution comprises a two percent (2%) solution by weight of one of: cellulose acetate in acetone, polycaprolactone (PCL) in chloroform, PCL-polyethylene glycol in chloroform, and collodion in amyl acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polymer solution comprises a solution between two percent (2%) and ten percent (10%) by weight of cellulose acetate in acetone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polymer solution comprises a twenty five percent (25%) solution by weight of polydimethylsiloxane in heptane. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polymer solution comprises a solution between five percent (5%) and ten percent (10%) by weight of polymethylmethacrylate in toluene. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polymer solution comprises a five percent (5%) solution by weight of polyvinyl alcohol in de-ionized water. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 prior to applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template, applying a fluorocarbon-based antistick coating to the template. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 the fluorocarbon-based antistick coating is prepared from perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method for casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
 preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;   replicating the nanoholes by applying a polymer resin into the template; and   after the resin has set, removing the replica from the substrate   
     
     
         13 . A method for solution casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
 preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;   replicating the nanoholes by casting a solution of a polyethylene and a solvent into the template;   after the solvent has substantially dissipated, melting the polyethylene as cast in the template;   cooling the melted polyethylene as cast in the template to room temperature; and   removing the cooled polyethylene replica from the substrate.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the polymer solution comprises ten percent (10%) solution by weight of polyethylene in toluene. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein
 melting comprises heating to about one hundred fifty five (155) degrees Celsius for about two (2) minutes; and 
 cooling comprises cooling at room temperature for at least about two (2) hours. 
 
     
     
         16 . The nanostructure produced by the method of any one of  claim 1 ,  claim 12 , and  claim 13 .