Femtosecond micromachining is currently enjoying popularity in alternative energy R and D. This includes such applications as microstructuring black silicon for potential use in solar cell panels.

For additional information on this application, see:
M.Y.Shen, C.H.Crouch, J.E.Carey, R.Younkin, E.Mazur, M.Sheehy, C.M.Friend, Formation of regular arrays of silicon microspikes by femtosecond laser radiation through a mask, Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 82, No. 11, 17 March 2003, Pg. 1715-1717.