Femtosecond laser induced photo-expansion of organic thin films

We propose a novel direct writing technique with a femtosecond laser enabling selective modification of not only the morphology of conducting polymer thin films but also the orientation and alignment of the polymer crystal. Surface relief gratings resulting from photoexpansion on P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS thin films were fabricated by femtosecond laser direct writing. The photoexpansion was induced at laser fluence below the ablation threshold of the thin film. The morphology (size and shape) of photoexpansion could be quantitatively controlled by laser writing parameters such as focused beam size, writing speed, and laser fluence. GIWAX results showed that face-on P3HT crystals were largely increased in the photoexpansion in comparison with pristine region of the thin film. In addition, the face-on P3HTs in the photoexpansion were aligned with their orientation along the polarization of the laser. The micro-RAMAN spectra confirmed that neither chemical composition change nor the polymer chain breaking was observable after femtosecond laser irradiation. We believe that this laser direct writing technique opens a new door to the fabrication of more efficient OPVs via non-contact, toxic-free approach.