title: Utilization of a digital-versatile-disc pickup head for benchtop laser microfabrication.
abstract: Laser microfabrication is now offering interesting solutions to rapidly produce high-resolution photomasks or microstructures. However, most works require expensive commercial lasers and computer numerical control platforms, limiting its use by a large public. In this paper, we report the construction of a simple, custom-made, easily reproducible, automated laser system, based on a DVD optical pickup head. A user-friendly computer interface specifically designed to operate a motorized three-axis platform with micrometric precision controls focus distance and in-plane displacements. Writing performance characterization for both direct ablation and sintering of commercial black toner demonstrated flexibility in tridimensional microfabrication resolution and speed thanks to precise management of laser power and exposure time, with a minimal resolution of 3.1 μm.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, Mexico. mathieu.hautefeuille@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hautefeuille
authors.forename: Alejandro K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Zenteno
authors.forename: Pablo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Pérez-Alcázar
authors.forename: Kristopher M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hess-Frieling
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Sanchez
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Velazquez
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grether-Gonzalez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lopez-Moreno