The Catholic University of America

Laser Micro Fabrication Laboratory

 

Dr. Scott Mathews and Dr. Mark Mirotznik have recently completed the installation of a state-of-art laser micro-fabrication laboratory at CUA. The laboratory consists of a custom built laser micro-machining center, optical microscopes, micro-manipulator probe station, optical surface profilometer, photoresist spinner, wet chemical processing work bench, and an electronics work bench.

The laser micro-machining system, currently running an ultra-voilet (UV) excimer laser, is capable of cutting and drilling a wide variety of materials with "micron scale" precision. The excimer laser will be replaced in March with a state-of-the-art, solid state, UV laser, giving the system both more cutting power and higher precision. Both of these lasers are capable of cutting and drilling materials with little or no heat, as demonstrated by the picture below, showing a match-head that has been laser cut without igniting.

The laser micro-machining system, and the accompanying characterization equipment are currently being used by Dr. Mathews to fabricate microfluidic structures and by Dr. Mirotznik to fabricate diffractive optical elements and computer generated holograms. The picture above shows an array of micro-wells cut with the laser micromachining system, and then filled with liquid pigments using a "laser transfer process", similar to an inkjet printer. This image demostrate the systems ability to dispense tiny quantities of liquid on specific locations, a technique that is critical for the fabrication of biological micro-arrays.

The tools in the laser micro-fabrication laboratory are also being used by both undergraduate and graduate students. Electrical engineering majors have used the laboratory as part of their "Senior Design Projects", as well as for independent study projects.

 

For more information contact Dr. Mathews or Dr. Mirotznik.