Femtosecond laser fabrication of metallic nanostructures using polarization control

We report on fabrication of metallic nanostructures in dielectric materials by controlling polarization of the irradiating femtosecond laser. Formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures via multiphoton absorption-induced photoreduction of silver ions is exploited to realize metallic nanostructures by changing polarization of the exciting laser. Possible formation mechanisms are outlined.