Light induced patterning of poly(dimethylsiloxane) microstructures.
A new method for direct patterning of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microstructures is developed by taking advantage of photorefractive effect in a functionalized substrate. Here we show that when a x-cut Iron doped Lithium Niobate (LN) crystal is exposed to appropriate structured laser light, a charge density pattern builds-up in the crystal and a space charge field arise that is able to induce self-patterning of the PDMS liquid film deposited on its surface via the dielectrophoretic effects. Proper heating treatment allows to achieve polymeric linking process creating a solid and stable PDMS microstructures. The self-patterned structures replicate the illuminating light pattern. We show that 1D and 2D patterning of PDMS gratings can be achieved. This new soft-lithographic approach can pave the way for realizing PDMS micro-structures with high degree of flexibility that avoids the need of moulds fabrication.
Miccio
Lisa
L
Istituto Nazionale di Ottica del CNR, INO-CNR Via Campi Flegrei, 34-80078-Pozzuoli, Na, Italy. lisa.miccio@inoa.it
Paturzo
Melania
M
Finizio
Andrea
A
Ferraro
Pietro
P
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D008904:Miniaturization; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon