Three-dimensional laser chemical vapor deposition (3D-LCVD) is an emerging process
which bridges the gap between various macro-scale rapid prototyping (RP) systems and microfabrication technologies. With the ability to deposit both metals and dielectrics 3D-LCVD
may be used to prototype integrated electromechanical components from sub-micron to centimeter scales. This technological niche is increasingly important with the ever-decreasing size
and sophistication of consumer and industrial products.
The objective of this work was the development of functional microsolenoids and electromagnets, using 3D-LCVD as the primary fabrication tool. High-aspect-ratio microsolenoids
have the potential to generate much greater magnetic-field densities than their thin-film counterparts,l and have many advantages when used as actuators in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).2 3D-LCVD provides a means of fabricating such helical structures, with an
ease unparalleled by any lithographic or rapid prototyping process.Mechanical Engineerin
