Femtosecond-laser direct writing in polymers and potential applications in microfluidics and memory devices

We have investigated femtosecond-laser-induced microstructures (on the surface and within the bulk), gratings, and craters in four different polymers: polymethyl methacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, polystyrene, and polyvinyl alcohol. The structures were achieved using a Ti:sapphire laser delivering 100-fs pulses at 800 nm with a repetition rate of 1 kHz and a maximum pulse energy of 1 mJ. Local chemical modifications leading to the formation of optical centers and peroxide radicals were studied using ultraviolet-visible absorption and emission, confocal micro-Raman and electron spin resonance spectroscopic techniques. Potential applications of these structures in microfluidics, waveguides, and memory-based devices are demonstrated. (C) 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.OE.51.7.073402]