Femtosecond laser-induced crystallization of protein in gel medium

We succeeded in generating femtosecond laser-induced crystallization of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) in the irradiated area by suppressing convection of the solution using a highly concentrated gel. When a laser pulse, whose energy was above the threshold energy for bubble formation, was focused along with a linear scanning of the stage, HEWL crystallization was enhanced at the surface of bubbles on the irradiated line. The relation between the bubble formation process and the crystallization is discussed.