Bioinspired antireflective subwavelength nanostructures induced by femtosecond laser for high transparency glass

In nature, the Cicada wing exhibiting a high transparency at wide viewing angles can be bioinspired for the formation of broadband antireflective subwavelength nanostructures (ASS), which can significantly improve the transmittance of optical devices. In this study, a femtosecond laser micro-machining is developed to fabricate a biomimic nanostructure array on optical glass for antireflection. The underlying mechanism for the trans-mittance enhancement and geometry design of the artificial structure is thoroughly explored by applying a rigorous coupled-wave analysis method both in the visible and the near-infrared band. In addition, the height, diameter, and period of the ASS experimentally induced by the femtosecond laser are adjusted by controlling the laser-processing parameters of pulse energy and scanning velocity. Accordingly, the proposed bioinspired nanostructures featuring a wide-angle omnidirectional antireflection in the visible band, as well as hydropho-bicity properties, are anticipated to be widely used in glass displays applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a femtosecond laser micro-machining technique was used to fabricate biomimic nanostructures on optical glass, inspired by the high transparency of cicada wings, to improve the transmittance of optical devices. The mechanism for the enhancement of transmittance and the design of the artificial structure were explored using a rigorous coupled-wave analysis method. The height, diameter, and period of the nanostructures could be adjusted by controlling the laser-processing parameters, resulting in wide-angle omnidirectional antireflection in the visible band and hydrophobicity properties. These bioinspired nanostructures are expected to be widely used in glass display applications.