Sample interview questions: Can you explain the concept of laser-induced plasma formation and its significance in microfabrication?
Sample answer:
Laser-Induced Plasma Formation:
Laser-induced plasma formation refers to the process of generating a plasma, a highly ionized gas, by focusing a high-intensity laser beam onto a material. When the laser beam interacts with the material, it rapidly heats and ionizes the atoms or molecules, resulting in the formation of a plasma plume. This process occurs within a very short timeframe, typically on the order of nanoseconds or picoseconds.
Significance in Microfabrication:
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Precise Material Removal: Laser-induced plasma formation enables highly precise material removal for microfabrication applications. By carefully controlling the laser parameters, such as wavelength, pulse duration, and energy, it is possible to selectively ablate material from a surface with minimal collateral damage. This precision allows for the creation of intricate microstructures and patterns with high resolution.
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Micromachining: Laser-induced plasma formation can be used for micromachining, which involves creating micro-scale features on a material’s surface. By precisely controlling the laser-material interaction, it is possible to produce micro-channels, holes, cavities, and other complex geometries with high aspect ratios and smooth surfaces.
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Surface Modification: Read full answer