LIPSS Applied to Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and Dielectrics: Assessment and Future Perspectives

With the aim of presenting the processes governing the Laser-Induced Periodic SurfaceStructures (LIPSS), its main theoretical models have been reported. More emphasis is given tothose suitable for clarifying the experimental structures observed on the surface of wide bandgapsemiconductors (WBS) and dielectric materials. The role played by radiation surface electromagneticwaves as well as Surface Plasmon Polaritons in determining both Low and High Spatial FrequencyLIPSS is briefly discussed, together with some experimental evidence. Non-conventional techniquesfor LIPSS formation are concisely introduced to point out the high technical possibility of enhancingthe homogeneity of surface structures as well as tuning the electronic properties driven by pointdefects induced in WBS. Among these, double- or multiple-fs-pulse irradiations are shown to besuitable for providing further insight into the LIPSS process together with fine control on the formedsurface structures. Modifications occurring by LIPSS on surfaces of WBS and dielectrics display highpotentialities for their cross-cutting technological features and wide applications in which the mainsurface and electronic properties can be engineered. By these assessments, the employment of suchnanostructured materials in innovative devices could be envisaged.