Surface structuring of zirconium-based bulk metallic glasses using ultrashort laser pulses

A technique for structuring the surface of a bulk metallic glass (BMG) via scanning with a beam of laser pulses in the pico- and femtosecond time regime is presented. Specimens were characterized by various techniques to analyze the effects of ultrashort laser pulses on the amorphous matrix. Broadly varying surface structures, with roughness parameters in the range of Ra = 0.066 to 0.329 mu m, measured using white light interferometry (WIM) and optical 3D microscopy, were produced. These techniques could be useful for fabricating biomedical implants from BMGs. As proof of principle, a patterned grid, designed for evaluating bone cell response to different surface structures, are produced.