When it comes to high-precision design, experimentation, and manufacturing, there are many techniques and tools required to make the physical components that do so many amazing things in the modern world.
Laser micromachining is where technology and techniques collide in exactly this way. New methods allow for ever-increasing precision in material and component production. In short, laser micromachining is allowing experts to do a lot of cool new things.
In 2022, there are already some emerging trends in some of the new applications. While none of these applications were first invented this year, they are proliferating and finding increased use cases that lead to greater demand.
Here are three leading applications that are driving laser micromachining this year:
Sensor Production
Sensor production is already a wide field in manufacturing and development. There are vast ranges of sensors from photodetectors to audio detectors and so much more. Laser micromachining is pivotal for producing highly sensitive detectors for just about any of these applications.
Femtosecond lasers are capable of incredible precision when it comes to machining materials. In many cases, stainless steel and optical fibers are the target materials. These materials are used in acoustic and optical sensors, respectively.
The carefully machined material surfaces using a laser allow for greater sensitivity and precision in these detectors, making micromachining crucial for development and production.
Nanoparticle Production
Nanoparticles are growing in their range of applications. In the big picture, nanoparticle science is still relatively young, but more uses are found all the time, and the ability to make nanoparticles is in growing demand.
Micromachining is actually a leading means of making nanoparticles for very specific use cases. A perfect example is optical fiber coatings. Optical fibers are sensitive devices that can easily suffer from interference, dirt accumulation, and other issues that impede their ability to function.
Nanoparticle coatings can provide resistance to some of these problems without obstructing the fibers’ ability to detect photons as needed. Micromachining can produce specifically adapted nanoparticles that improve resistance against desired deleterious effects.
3D Micro Feature Fabrication
3D micro feature fabrication is yet another application that finds use in countless industries and individual projects. Precise topographical features are useful for any micro or nano design, and that applies to many fields.
As an example, biomedical devices often use micro topology to improve drug delivery systems. 3D micro feature fabrication uses lasers for ablation and other material removal methods in order to build these precise topographies.
Another great example is photovoltaic cell production. Lasers can build a topology that increases total internal reflection, dramatically improving photovoltaic cell efficiency.
Likewise, 3D micro features appear in semiconductor design and fabrication. From photocells to microchips, 3D landscapes often require laser techniques in order to meet design tolerance limitations.
Laser micromachining is vastly useful, and understanding the emerging trends in micromachining applications can help designers and manufacturers stay ahead of competition and provide for changing demand landscapes. There is a right laser and technique for every job, and as micromachining techniques and applications continue to evolve, ripe opportunities will emerge.
Micron Laser specializes in Laser Micromachining
Micron Laser Technology specializes in laser micromachining and micro-manufacturing services with an emphasis on precision, small parts (< .125″ thickness) that require exceptional edge quality and close tolerances to 5um.