Ultrafast Laser Micromachining and Photonic Microfabrication for Advanced Precision Manufacturing Systems
The rapid development of precision engineering and miniaturization of products has greatly increased the requirement for highly controlled micromanufacturing processes capable of producing complex micro-scale features with high accuracy and consistency. Laser-based micromachining has become a fundamental enabling technology due to its non-contact characteristic, high energy density, and versatility in fabricating complex geometries in metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials. Advances in ultrafast laser systems, pulse modulation, and beam control strategies have improved machining precision, reduced heat-affected regions, and enabled sub-micron features with enhanced surface integrity. Simultaneously, advanced microfabrication methods including lithography, LIGA, additive microfabrication, and high aspect ratio structuring are helping achieve complex microcomponents with improved geometric fidelity and functional integration. The integration of traditional micromanufacturing technologies such as microforming, microforging, microcasting, and microjoining further enhances the production of structurally robust components. Nanofinishing processes play a vital role in achieving excellent surface quality and functional performance, while micro- and nano-metrology are essential for accurate characterization, dimensional verification, and process validation at extremely small scales. Advances in motion systems, process monitoring methods, and machine tool design are improving process control, stability, and scalability. Multi-material and high-performance microstructures are also produced through hybrid fabrication methods combining laser-based, traditional, and additive techniques. This Special Topic discusses current developments in laser-based micromachining and integrated microfabrication processes for high-precision micro- and nano-scale manufacturing. Contributions involving experimental, analytical, and process-oriented studies addressing fabrication precision, surface quality, process optimization, hybrid fabrication, metrology incorporation, and scalable micromanufacturing solutions are encouraged.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Ultrafast Laser-Matter Interaction Mechanisms for Precision Micro and Nano Fabrication Processes
- Femtosecond and Picosecond Laser Micromachining for High-Accuracy Microstructure Engineering in Advanced Materials
- Beam Shaping and Adaptive Optics in Ultrafast Laser Processing for Controlled Microfabrication
- Laser-Induced Surface Structuring and Functionalization for Micro and Nano Device Applications
- Photonic Microfabrication Techniques for High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Microarchitectures
- Laser-Based Additive-Subtractive Hybrid Manufacturing for Micro and Nano Scale System Integration
- In Situ Diagnostics and Real-Time Monitoring of Ultrafast Laser Processing for Process Optimization
- Computational Modeling and Simulation of Laser-Material Interaction in Micro and Nano Fabrication
- Laser Processing of Functional Materials for Microelectronics and Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
- High-Precision Laser Ablation Techniques for Multi-Material Microfabrication and Surface Engineering
- Ultrafast Laser Nanomanufacturing for Photonic Devices and Integrated Optical Systems
- Process Control, Stability and Scalability in Laser-Based Precision Manufacturing Systems
Guest Editors
Dr. Mohd Helmi Suid(MGE) Lecturer, Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pahang, Malaysia.
Dr. Lukumba Phiri(Co-GE) Professor, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Dr. Oluwadare Adepeju Adebisi(Co-GE) Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, First Technical University, Ibadan, Nigeria.