FEMTOPRINT

FEMTOSECOND LASER PRINTER FOR GLASS MICROSYSTEMS WITH NANOSCALE FEATURES

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'FEMTOPRINT is to develop a printer for microsystems with nano-scale features fabricated out of glass. Our ultimate goal is to provide a large pool of users from industry, research and universities with the capability of producing their own micro-systems, in a rapid-manner without the need for expensive infrastructures and specific expertise. Recent researches have shown that one can form three-dimensional patterns in glass material using low-power femtosecond laser beam. This simple process opens interesting new opportunities for a broad variety of microsystems with feature sizes down to the nano-scale. These patterns can be used to form integrated optics components or be ‘developed’ by chemically etching to form three-dimensional structures like fluidic channels and micro-mechanical components. Worth noticing, sub-micron resolution can be achieved and sub-pattern smaller than the laser wavelength can be formed. Thanks to the low-energy required to pattern the glass, femtosecond laser consisting simply of an oscillator are sufficient to produce such micro- and nano- systems. These systems are nowadays table-top and cost a fraction of conventional clean-room equipments. It is highly foreseeable that within 3 to 5 years such laser systems will fit in a shoe-box. The proposal specific objectives are: 1/ Develop a femtosecond laser suitable for glass micro-/nano- manufacturing that fits in a shoe-box 2/ Integrate the laser in a machine similar to a printer that can position and manipulate glass sheets of various thicknesses 3/ Demonstrate the use of the printer to fabricate a variety of micro-/nano-systems with optical, mechanical and fluid-handling capabilities. A clear and measurable outcome of Femtoprint will be to be in a situation to commercialize the ‘femtoprinter’ through the setting-up of a consortium spin-off. The potential economical impact is large and is expected in various industrial sectors.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A new laser printer for patterning glass substrates on the nano scale opens the door to the manufacture of glass-based microsystems using a table-top device fits in a shoebox and does not require expensive infrastructure and expertise.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Recent advances in femtosecond lasers have enabled their use in patterning glass using compact devices at a fraction of the cost of conventional clean-room equipment. EU-funded scientists working on the project 'Femtosecond laser printer for glass microsystems with nanoscale features' (http://www.femtoprint.eu/ (FEMTOPRINT)) pushed the state of the art with a low-cost, compact laser printer system.

The Femtoprinter fits in a shoebox and can pattern glass substrates with features on the scale of atoms and molecules (the nano scale). The system provides the ability to produce glass-based microsystems sporting optical, mechanical and fluid-handling capability without expensive infrastructure and expertise. The prototype enabled the first demonstration of algae biochips, the first transparent actuators and a 'five-dimensional' optical memory. Nicknamed Superman by the press, the latter is capable of storing information in excess of a thousand years.

Needless to say, FEMTOPRINT has received global attention. Newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Huffington Post have featured the technology and scientists have published the results in numerous technical papers in renowned peer-reviewed journals. FEMTOPRINT received the Best Project Finalist Award at the EuroNanoForum in Ireland, and the technology development has resulted in creation of the spin-off company FEMTOprint, which has commercialised the printer.

Although the printer was the ultimate technological goal, technology development has led to other commercial products as well. The innovative laser source is now available in the product line of one of the project's partners. A patented optical component has been licensed to a European company that now features it in its product catalogue.

FEMTOPRINT technologies are already having major impact on the glass-based optical and micro-optics sectors. Uptake of the economical and powerful Femtoprinter by universities, research institutes and industry will speed up groundbreaking research in glass-based microsystems with important benefits for the EU economy.