Diffraction-driven laser surface nanostructuring: Towards patterning with curved periodic surface structures

•Laser-induced cavitation bubbles assist in surface structuring by laser radiation.•Light diffraction at the bubble wall imprints curved periodic microstructures.•Cavitation bubbles are spatially manipulated with thermo-optical tweezers.•Guiding the bubbles in 2D pattern enables structuring of larger surface areas.•Process stability for meandering structures is provided by (high) liquid viscosity.