Optically based manufacturing with polymer particles

We present a new single-laser optical trapping technique for the exact manipulation and durable assembly of transparent polymer microparticles. This technique comprises the trapping of microparticles and the assembly by using a laser-driven thermal process for the joining of the particles. The thermal energy necessary for the systematic joining is applied partly by global heating of the processing chamber and by absorption of the electromagnetic radiation of the laser tweezer. The main advantage of this contact free joining technology is to use the same laser for the optical trapping, positioning and the durable assembly. The generated joints are stable and cannot be broken up with optical forces. In summary, a new micromanufacturing process based on an optical machining process is reported with promising applications in the MEMS and photonics area.