Ultrafast laser micromachining system is the first of its kind in the UK and provides ultimate flexibility in laser processing as it can machine virtually any material with micron scale resolution.

Ultrafast Laser System For Micro and Nanotechnology Oxford Lasers announce the supply of key enabling technology to create the most advanced micro technology and nanotechnology manufacturing centre in the UK. An Oxford Lasers Ultrafast Laser Micromachining System will be employed in the MicroBridge Project at the Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) in Cardiff, UK. The PicoLase 1000 system from Oxford Lasers features a state-of-the-art picosecond laser system with 532nm and 355nm harmonics and 12 axis motion control system.

It is the first of its kind in the UK and provides the ultimate flexibility in laser processing as it can machine virtually any material with micron scale resolution.

Special features of the system include dual beamline, automated trepanning systems and special micro-milling routines for ablating complex structures.

The system will be used for product miniaturisation and for developing future manufacturing platforms for the next generation of microsystems-based products.

The project will provide a vital resource for improving the effectiveness of UK industry by generating a critical mass of facilities and expertise that will underpin the development of microtechnologies beyond the ones that rely on conventional IC tools and materials The PicoLase 1000 is an enabling technology within the MicroBridge project at MEC which is part funded by the UK's DTI under the Micro and NanoTechnology Initiative with matched funding from the other industrial partners including Oxford Lasers and other funding from the Welsh Development Agency.

MicroBridge is a GBP 7 million, 5 year project to provide Facilities for Micro-Machining and Micro Fabrication of Non-Silicon Components.

This project extends the existing micro-manufacture facilities at the MEC and creates a much-enhanced 'bridging' capability for micro-machining and micro-fabrications in a range of materials not currently available in the UK.

In particular, the aim is to use picosecond laser ablation and focused ion-beam machining to bridge the existing 'machining gap' between classical precision micro-machining and the lithographic/direct write semiconductor patterning technologies.

The new facility will be commissioned in 2006 and will be one of nine open access facilities within the UK to promote the use of micro and nanotechnology and to provide specialist training alongside these unique facilities.

Oxford Lasers are a partner in the MicroBridge project and will be working closely with MEC through the 5 year project to develop and support picosecond laser-based microprocessing.