The restrictor, which is a fluid channel from a reservoir to a chamber inside a thermal micro actuator, has been fabricated using ArF and KrF excimer lasers, Diode-Pumped Solid State Lasers (DPSSL) and femtosecond lasers for a feasibility study. A numerical model of fluid dynamics for the actuator chamber and restrictor is presented. The model includes bubble formation and growth, droplet ejection through nozzle, and dynamics of fluid refill through the restrictor from a reservoir. Since an optimized and well-fabricated restrictor is important for a high frequency actuator, some special beam delivery setups and post processing techniques have been researched and developed. The effects of variations of the restrictor length, diameter, and tapered shapes are simulated and the results are analyzed to determine the optimal design. The numerical results of droplet velocity and volume are compared with the experimental results of a cylindrical-shaped actuator. It is found that the micro actuators having tapered restrictors show better high frequency characteristics than those having a cylindrical shape without any notable decrease of droplet volume. The laser-fabricated restrictors demonstrate initial feasibility for the laser direct ablation technique although more development is required.

• Jeong Young-Keun
• Kim Kwang-Ryul