Single-shot laser ablation of a metal film on a polymer membrane

A method comprises spatially selectively irradiating in a predetermined pattern with an output beam of a laser system an interface between a polymer substrate and a metal film on the polymer substrate. The polymer substrate is substantially transparent to the output beam of the laser system; the metal film absorbs a substantial fraction of the output beam. Laser system output comprises a sequence of pulses. Beam size at the polymer/metal interface, pulse energy, and pulse duration are selected so that each pulse from the laser system that irradiates an area of the polymer/metal interface substantially completely removes by ablation the metal film from at least a portion of the irradiated area without substantially altering the surfaces or bulk of the polymer substrate and without leaving on the polymer substrate or on remaining areas of the metal film substantial residue of metal that resolidified after being melted by the laser irradiation.