Page 10 - PR 2014 2016 02 Lasers Technology

24 Lasers Technology | Progress Report

Laser applications were produced, including the injection and

control systems (Figure 5). The main circuits
The laser applications are focused on 4 main already in operation are being used for ELISA
areas: Industrial, Health, Nuclear and Envi- assay (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay),
ronmental. The processing of materials with for the growth of luminescent nanocrystals
-13
ultra-short laser pulses (in the order of 10 and for the control of size and shape of me-
to 10 s) has been developed in the Center tallic nanoparticles.
-14
of Lasers and Applications both for the un-
derstanding of the physics interaction of this
type of laser with the matter as for its use in
practical applications. Unlike other types of
lasers, ultra-short pulses can process struc-
tures virtually free of thermal effects. This
enables the machining of extremely small
structures without burrs, resolidified material
or heat affected zone. Using such technique,
very tiny structures have been produced on
several kinds of materials such as glasses, met-
als and polymers. In polymers, very narrow
and very close grooves (~ 10 microns) are being
produced and used for alignment of cells for
growth of specific biological tissues. In metals,
a color-forming technique has been developed
on its surface without the formation of coating
layers such as oxides or nitrides, preserving to
the maximum its physical and metallurgical
properties. In addition to colorization, highly Fig 5 -Microfluidic system for growth of luminescent nanocrystals.
light-absorbing structures were produced on
metal surfaces, with an absorption rate above
95% for the visible and near infrared regions. Laser Applications in

Also, micrometric textures are being devel- Health Sciences
oped in metals with the purpose of improving
the tribological properties of their surfaces. Biophotonics is an exciting interdisciplinary
These textures can reduce the friction and research field which studies the interaction of
wear of surfaces used in numerous engineer- photons with biological structures, imaging
ing processes. and sensing cells and tissue. The interaction
of light with matter results in reflection, ab-
The glass processing with ultra-short femto- sorption, scattering or transmission of the
second pulses has been developed and is being beam which can tell us information about
used mainly for the production of components the molecule or tissue structure. Since 1992,
for microfluidic circuits. Micro channels, micro Biophotonics and lasers research at IPEN is
reactors, valves and micro pumps are some providing to the society with a wide range
of the regularly produced components. With of applications from fundamental medical
them, several complete microfluidic circuits research to diagnosis, therapy and surgery.

Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares