Molding of three dimensional microstructures by the LIGA process

Abstract

The authors report that the use of a resist layer, which can be structurized either by plastic molding or by deep-etch X-ray lithography, in addition to the LIGA process allows the fabrication of stepped microstructures. This technique is based on the combination of a high-molecular base layer made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with an internal adhesion promoter and a low-molecular PMMA, which is suitable for the molding of microstructures due to the addition of an internal mold release agent. This resist system is applied to produce stepped microstructures on the basis of which mold inserts are manufactured by means of electroforming. Using these mold inserts, the molding of stepped LIGA structures of PMMA and of LIGA structures of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was carried out.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>