A novel fabrication method of embedded micro-channels by using SU-8 thick-film photoresists

[[abstract]]This paper proposes a novel method to fabricate multi-layers, embedded micro fluidic structures by simply employing dosage-controlled UV exposure on thick SU-8 resist and anti-reflection coating on the bottom surface to prevent the reflection UV-light from inducing exposure. Experimental results show the top wall thickness of the embedded micro-channels can be well controlled in a resolution of 2 μm for the UV dosage from 120 to 190 mJ/cm2. Stacked micro-channels have also been successfully realized and showed no interference on the bottom structures when the top structures are being exposed. Numerical simulation of the top wall thickness by UV exposure dosage control has also been conducted, and the comparison between the calculated and experimental results showed similarity in trend. This simple and inexpensive method can be applied to fabricate multi-layers of complex fluidic systems for the applications of μTAS (MicroTotal Analysis System), inkjet printhead, capillary electrophoresis, and micro PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.[[fileno]]2060102010001[[department]]工程與系統科學