Study of Femtosecond Laser Pulse-Induced Carbonization of Polyimide

Spatially localized carbonization of cheap and widely available insulating polymeric films, such as polyimide (PI), into electrically and thermally conductive graphitic carbon is important for the development of photonic, electronic and thermal devices. We use tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses to locally convert PI into carbon at the laser beam focus, and by translating the focus draw extended 2D and 3D structures in PI. By embedding micro-regions of electrically and thermally conductive carbon into PI using laser irradiation, we create a composite material having modified physical properties. In the future such modification can be used to create new materials and devices for control over optical, electrical, and thermal microdevices phenomena.