Microstructuring with femtosecond lasers

Using ultrashort laser pulses can cause the ablation of nearly all kinds of materials, leading to very precise machining results with minimal damage. This includes even the machining of delicate materials with high heat condu ctivities or comparatively low melting temperatures, such as metals, as wel l Its optical transparent and organic materials. The best results are obtai ned using pulses with sub-picosecond duration. This report summarizes recen t progress in ultrashort pulse laser machining. Several promising applicati ons in microstructuring, nanotechnology and medicine are highlighted.