Method of applying a laser beam creating micro-scale surface structures prior to deposition of film for increased adhesion

A method for adhering a thin film to a metal, ceramic or composite material substrate, comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing a laser for producing a beam of radiation having a wavelength within the ultraviolet to infrared range, an energy density within the range of 0.01 to 15 J/cm.sup.2, and pulse durations within the range of 100 femtoseconds to 1 millisecond;
• (B) irradiating a single area of the surface of the material substrate to be treated with at least 50 pulses of radiation from said laser, said radiation having an energy density of between 0.01 to 15 J/cm.sup.2, said pulses having duration of between 100 femtoseconds to 1 millisecond, thereby producing semi-periodic micro-scale surface structures of less than 200 microns in magnitude on the surface of said materials;
• (C) depositing onto said material substrate a film of a material having properties different from said material substrate using conventional vapor deposition techniques.