# Dynamic multi-focus laser writing with acousto-optofluidics

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel acousto-optofluidic system that uses ultrasound to generate multiple laser foci simultaneously, significantly increasing throughput in laser processing applications like manufacturing and surgery.

## Contribution

It presents a tunable, ultrasound-based method for dynamic multi-focus laser writing, enabling high-speed, parallel processing in various materials.

## Key findings

- Achieved sub-microsecond control of multi-focus distributions.
- Demonstrated high-throughput laser modification of metals, polymers, and ceramics.
- Showcased potential applications in imaging and optical trapping.

## Abstract

Laser writing of materials is normally performed by the sequential scanning of a single focused beam across a sample. This process is time-consuming and it can severely limit the throughput of laser systems in key applications such as surgery, microelectronics, or manufacturing. Here we report a parallelization strategy based on ultrasound waves in a liquid to diffract light into multiple beamlets. Adjusting amplitude, frequency, or phase of ultrasound allows tunable multi-focus distributions with sub-microsecond control. When combined with sample translation, the dynamic splitting of light leads to high-throughput laser processing, as demonstrated by locally modifying the morphological and wettability properties of metals, polymers, and ceramics. The results illustrate how acousto-optofluidic systems are universal tools for fast multi-focus generation, with potential impact in fields such as imaging or optical trapping.