Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2013/26113-6: micromachining station with amplified femtosecond Ti: sapphire laser system

Abstract

This workstation is of fundamental importance to the linked Thematic Project 2013/26113-6, and it will allow the major developments proposed. These are works of micromachining with femtosecond laser comprising various aspects of this new technology. Initial experiments will be made for optimizing machining parameters on different types of materials such as metals and dielectrics. These studies will allow the production of different microstructures with complex geometric shapes and dimensions slightly larger than 1 micron; we can cite among others microchannels functional surfaces and waveguides. Using optimized process parameters, basic components for microfluidic circuits will also be produced. Among others, such components are channels, reactors, mixers, valves and pumps, all of miniature sizes. In a parallel study, methods for producing optical components will be developed, and such components will be integrated on the circuit to form an opto-microfluidic device. In this process, that will use all the resources of this modern equipment, wave-guides and random lasers will be produced for sensing and activation of chemical and biological processes in the microcircuits devices.In a further step, will be machined and assembled complex opto-microfluidic circuits dedicated to specific applications. The applications provided on the linked project is part of a series of works in partnership and are: Synthesis of the radiotracer [18F] FDG; Control of size and shape of metal nanoparticles; Development of an ELISA platform; Microvascular flow simulator; Atmospheric simulator - Conversion of CO2; Synthesis of luminescent nanocrystals; Polymerization reactions and advanced oxidation processes. This will be an odd device in the country, which, combined with the previous experience of the team of the Centre for Lasers and Applications of Lasers at IPEN will make possible the development of many innovative processes in the field of laser micromachining. It is in this context that the equipment can have a multiuser character. External to the institution or group, users can request the production of processes already developed, such as machining of microstructures on substrates previously studied, waveguides, surface texturing, etc.; or may even develop new processes or structures in partnership with the group of IPEN. (AU)