Advanced photonic and optofluidic devices fabricated in glass via femtosecond laser micromachining [Invited]

Thanks to its unique properties, glass plays a fundamental role in science and technology, especially optics photonics. For instance, transparency has been exploited the last decades for efficiently guiding light optical fibers long distances, while versatility makes it perfect material different research fields, ranging from biology chemistry. On occasion of International Year Glass, we would like discuss powerful microfabrication technique devices this material: femtosecond laser micromachining (FLM). This can process types glass, thanks nonlinear nature induced modification, enables fabrication complex three-dimensional micro-structures capable or transporting fluids. The purpose review article is celebrate multidisciplinary FLM by discussing, without claim completeness after brief introduction about process, selection applications diverse fields biology, strong-field physics, astronomy.