Michelle Sander

Patterning Graphene with an Ultrafast Laser

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
For high precision applications at the micro- and nano-scale, new methods of fabrication can enable novel applications, e.g. in chemical sensing, filtration or computer chips. It has been shown that micro-machining with an ultrafast laser system (that can have pulse durations on the order of 100 femtoseconds with 1 fs = 10^-15s) allows for more precise cuts and reduced thermal damage to surrounding material, making this very attractive for material manipulation and surgery. This project aims at modifying structures at the atomic level layer scale with an ultrafast laser system: A mico-machining set-up will be re-configured and optimized to write different structures into graphene: Nano-ribbons, dots and other layouts will be programmed and written into the material. Graphene is a novel material that consists of a two dimensional carbon lattice. The modified graphene samples will be optically characterized and analyzed. This can form the basis for three dimensional kirigami (which is similar to origami but in addition one cuts into the thin sheet and folds and unfolds them). By writing different patterns and then compressing or stretching graphene sample, it can be manipulated to form 3-dimensional shapes of our preference.

LABORATORY ASSISTANTS
Ahmet Akosman and Allison Marn

RESEARCH GOALS
Optimize an existing micromachining system
Write novel structures into graphene and characterize them
Attempt to stretch/compress sample parts so they lift off

LEARNING GOALS
Learn about a new material class of two-dimensional materials and understand light-matter interaction with ultrafast pulses
Learn optical alignment skills and how to design an optical system
Gain optical material characterization skills (microscope etc)
Become familiar with state-of-the art micro-machining systems and their applications

TIMELINE
Week 1-2: Introduction, Safety Training, Background Reading, Getting familiar with the lab and optical setup
Week 3-8: Micro-machining of graphene samples: Ablate different structures and analyze results under an optical microscope, optimize power and writing speed and study changes in modified structures, study lift-off process of individual sample parts
Week 8-10: Finish micro-machining experiments, reflection and summary of project, practice communication skills for presentation and poster

To learn more about Professor Sander, visit her faculty page.