Laser-based joining for the packaging of miniature optoelectronic devices

In recent years various techniques have been developed for the manufacture of microsystems and other miniature optoelectronic devices. One aspect where there remains significant room for improvement is the packaging process. Standard packaging techniques involve heating whole devices to high temperatures, in some cases combined with strong electric fields, preventing the use of temperature-sensitive materials within the package and generating problems in manufacturing processes where a number of thermal process steps are carried out sequentially, when a later heating step can cause parts joined earlier to disassemble. Here we describe the successful application of laser-based joining for the packaging of such devices. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.