Template free synthesis of free-standing silver nanowhisker and nanocrown superlattice by interfering femtosecond laser irradiation

We report the fabrication and control of a nanostructure superlattice of silver using a solid–liquid–solid (SLS) mechanism induced on a silver thin film by interfering femtosecond laser irradiation. An interference pattern induces fluid flows of silver, which is followed by freezing of a free-standing nanowhisker, nanobump, or nanocrown superlattice fixed on a substrate. The smallest curvature radius of the nanowhisker’s apex was 4 nm, which is smaller than one-fifth of the silver nanorods fabricated by chemosynthesis. The SLS process is a superior alternative to sequential bottom-up processes involving bottom-up synthesis of nanorods, purification, alignment or self-assembling, stabilization, and preservation.

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