Fabrication of microfluidic structures in quartz via micro machining technologies

Microfluidic channels have been created for quartz material using micromechanical manufacturing technologies such as micro laser machining, micro ultrasonic machining, and ultra-precision machining. Ultra-precision machining has been used to manufacture cross-junction channels 14 µm wide and 28 µm deep with a three-dimensional triangle cross-section. Micro laser machining has been used to manufacture U-shaped and [InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.]-shaped microfluidic channels. Deep holes and microfluidic channels with a high slenderness ratio (width/depth) can be obtained by using micro ultrasonic machining technology. These three machining techniques are compared with respect to surface profiles and machining quality.