Ultra-high-precision fused silica micro-hole machining via spherical aberration-assisted filamentation and laser-induced deep etching

Abstract

Glass materials play an increasingly important role in advanced technologies due to their superior physical properties. However, precise machining of glass remains a major challenge because of its brittleness and sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stresses. We present an approach that combines spherical-aberration–assisted filamentation with laser-induced deep etching to achieve ultra-high-precision micro-hole machining in fused silica substrates. By deliberately introducing spherical aberration into an intense femtosecond laser beam, thin, uniformly elongated, and stable filaments are generated, which effectively suppress unwanted plasma formation and thermal deformation typical of standard filamentation. Using this method, we fabricated micro-holes with diameters as small as 10 μm across various sizes, maintaining an almost zero taper even in 1-mm-thick samples. The sidewalls exhibited nanoscale smoothness (Ra=38.1 nm, root mean square (RMS) = 53.9 nm), and the hole area demonstrated excellent repeatability with only ∼1.0% variation across multiple trials. This simple optical configuration drastically reduces cost compared with existing approaches that rely on specialized components while moderately satisfying critical requirements for geometrical versatility, minimal damage, precision, and repeatability. We represent a significant step forward in precision glass machining and lay a foundation for future microstructured electronic, optical, and microfluidic devices.