Deformation grating fabrication technique based on the solvent-assisted microcontact molding

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Deformation gratings are crucial for precise strain measurement in various engineering applications.
• Existing fabrication methods often face limitations in scalability and resolution.
• The moiré method requires high-quality gratings for accurate deformation analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient and scalable fabrication technique for high-frequency, large-area deformation gratings.
• To utilize solvent-assisted microcontact molding (SAMIM) for grating fabrication.
• To create a qualified deformation sensor for the moiré method.

Main Methods:

• A three-step process involving SAMIM imprinting on a medium polymer substrate (MPS).
• Coating a thin metal film onto the imprinted MPS.
• Transferring the metal film grating to the target surface.
• Employing a reusable, glass-embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold for enhanced mold stiffness and conformal contact.
• Utilizing Fourier transform and phase analysis for grating quality characterization.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of high-frequency, large-area gratings on diverse specimens.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of the glass-embedded PDMS mold in maintaining mold integrity and imprinting quality.
• Validated the grating quality using Fourier transform and phase analysis.
• Confirmed the suitability of the fabricated gratings as deformation sensors for moiré applications.

Conclusions:

• The proposed SAMIM-based technique offers a robust and scalable method for fabricating high-quality deformation gratings.
• The use of glass-embedded PDMS molds enhances the durability and performance of the fabrication process.
• The developed gratings are suitable for advanced deformation sensing in moiré interferometry and other metrology applications.