Laser Micromachining

Laser Micromachining

Used in industries such as medical, semiconductor, aeronautic and microelectronics, laser micromachining applications include conductive glass processing, 2D microstructure array machining and small feature patterning. This subcategory of laser cutters is a service generally used for material machining and structural fabrication through an excimer laser, a type of molecular gas laser. Excimer lasers are unique; instead of burning or vaporizing away materials like other lasers, such as the CO2 laser, excimer lasers send out pulsations that remove material surface layers through ablation. Ablation is the irradiation of thin layers of a surface through a laser beam. The excimer laser is precision controlled through a combination of CNC and CAD computer systems. A CNC laser cutter is a computer controller that enables the machine to run automatically once the CAD program is set up and running. Long lists of materials exist that can be laser micromachined, including silicon, glass substrates, plastics, metals, polymer materials and even human skin. Laser micromachining services such as microdrilling, micromilling and microcutting are used to micromachine components that are smaller than a micron, which is equal to one millionth of a meter.

A cost-effective and relatively recent process, laser micromachining services are able to produce a greater complexity of shapes with less damage to the material than other comparable laser machining processes. Microchips, which are formed by way of micromachining lasers, have experienced a reduction in the last twenty years from point five micrometers to forty three nanometers. This reduction makes a huge difference in the electronic field as well as other technologically driven industries. Advancements in the process include the utilization of femtosecond lasers, which are much faster than nanosecond lasers. However, lasers in general are not very effective on metals such as aluminum and copper alloys due to their ability to reflect light as well as absorb and conduct heat. In addition, all lasers are potentially hazardous to a person's eyesight. Ultraviolet lasers, such as excimer lasers, are even more dangerous because the "blink reflex" protects the eyes only if the light can be seen. Therefore, operators or maintenance keepers should always practice safe eye-care around micromachining lasers.