Low-cost, widespread and reproducible mold fabrication technique for PDMS-based microfluidic photonic systems

Abstract

In this letter the possibility of low-cost fabrication of molds for PDMS-based photonic microstructures is considered. For this purpose, three different commercially available techniques, namely UV-curing of the capillary film, 3D SLA printing and micromilling, have been analyzed. Obtained results have been compared in terms of prototyping time, quality, repeatability, and re-use of the mold for PDMS-based microstructures fabrication. Prospective use for photonic systems, especially optofluidic ones infiltrated with liquid crystalline materials, have been commented.