Patterning and alloying on silicon surfaces by ultra-short laser pulses (solar cells and external fields)

After the recent realisation of photonic crystals, the pursuit to create new structured matter that controls light has added to our civilisations growing technological advances. The works included in this thesis focus on developing a conceptual background for efficient fabrication of light trapping surfaces on silicon. The rapidly maturing technology of laser fabrication by ultra-short laser pulses is heavily utilised and ablation under applied external fields is also demonstrated. The findings in this thesis contribute to the body of knowledge of laser fabrication processes for nano-texturing of silicon surfaces and ablation processes, and will further inspire the manufacture of light trapping surfaces for both research and industrial applications.