Low-cost automated spin coater and thermal annealer for additive prototyping of multilayer Bragg reflectors

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost automated system for fabricating multilayer photonic structures, demonstrating its effectiveness through the creation of Bragg reflectors and microlasers for educational and research purposes.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, affordable automated device for multilayer photonic fabrication, enabling easy production of Bragg reflectors and microlasers for prototyping and educational use.

Findings

Successful fabrication of multilayer Bragg reflectors and microlasers

Device operates with low-cost materials and automation

Educational application demonstrated in physics laboratory

Abstract

We present and implement a design for an automated system that fabricates multilayer photonic crystal structures. The device is constructed with low-cost materials. A polystyrene/cellulose acetate multilayer Bragg reflector was fabricated to confirm the device's capability. A distributed feedback laser was also fabricated and characterized. The system has also been used to fabricate microlasers for a Modern Physics laboratory assignment in which students measure fluorescence, amplified spontaneous emission, lasing from one-dimensional Bragg reflectors, and lasing from scattering media.