Femtosecond Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT): A Technique for Versatile Micro-Printing Applications

Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) method exists as a relatively simple and versatile additive surface micropatterning technology. Material is transferred from a supported thin film to a receiver substrate by irradiating the rear side of the film with a single laser pulse. Typically transfer is effected either through melting through of the source film or by ablation of the film at a constrained interface with a resultant pressure build-up propelling a piece of the film to the receiver. Both of these processes have inherent advantages and disadvantages; by melting the source film during transfer, sub-laser spot size features can be produced, but the choice of available materials is reduced and control of deposit morphology is limited. Ablation-driven transfer is less material selective but resultant deposits are typically broken during transfer and scattered over relatively large areas.