Surface microfabrication of silica glass by LIBWE using DPSS-UV laser

Abstract

Surface micro-structuring of silica glass plates was performed by using laser-induced backside wet etching (LIBWE) upon irradiation with a single-mode laser beam from a diode-pumped solid state UV laser at 266 nm. We have succeeded in a well-defined micro-pattern formation without debris and microcrack formations around the etched area on the basis of Galvanometer-based point scanning system with the laser beam. This method is suitable for rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing of surface microstructuing of silica glass in a convetional atmospheric environment.