3D printing of silica glass through a multiphoton polymerization process

Abstract

We introduce a laser-based process relying on multiphoton-induced polymerization to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) glass parts. A focused, intense laser beam is used to polymerize a transparent resin, loaded with additives and silica nanoparticles, at the wavelength of the laser beam through nonlinear absorption processes. The object is created directly in the volume, overcoming the limitation of the layer-by-layer process. The process enables the production of silica parts with consecutive debinding and sintering processes. With bulk silica density and a resolution that depends on the laser spot size, 3D objects of centimetric dimensions are obtained.

Laser 3D Printing of Inorganic Free-Form Micro-Optics

“…Thus, here we demonstrate the combination of ultrafast laser 3D nanolithography and thermal posttreatment for opening a route for production of free-form inorganic structures-specifically free-form micro-optics. Up to now, it was just partially realized and restricted to limitations such as: 2D/2.5D structures [14], or millimeter-scale dimensions [15,16], or non-transparent components [17]. It is intuitively obvious and clearly anticipated that the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of such inorganic optical components will be of higher values preferable in practical micro-optics [18] and nano-photonic applications [19], especially taking into account high-temperature or light-intensity, chemically harsh environments, and heavy duty applications [20].…”

Overview of 3D-Printed Silica Glass

“…Moreover, the lateral resolution of TPP below 100 nm has been demonstrated [2,[52][53][54][55]. Currently, the use of TPP technology for the additive manufacturing of glass materials is a new trend [56,57].…”

“…TPP technology could solve the above problems and can directly produce 3D nanostructures whose spatial resolution is well beyond the diffraction limit. In 2021, Thomas Doualle et al applied two-photon polymerization to 3D-printed glass by adding an appropriate photoinitiator to "liquid glass", successfully relying on a laser-based process of multi-photon-induced polymerization to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) glass parts [56]. The object in the process of 3D printing is presented in Figure 3a, and the successfully printed glass devices are shown in Figure 3b [56].…”

“…In 2021, Thomas Doualle et al applied two-photon polymerization to 3D-printed glass by adding an appropriate photoinitiator to "liquid glass", successfully relying on a laser-based process of multi-photon-induced polymerization to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) glass parts [56]. The object in the process of 3D printing is presented in Figure 3a, and the successfully printed glass devices are shown in Figure 3b [56]. This work pioneered the use of TPP technology for the additive manufacturing of glass materials.…”

Laser 3D Printing of Inorganic Free-Form Micro-Optics

“…Thus, here we demonstrate the combination of ultrafast laser 3D nanolithography and thermal post-treatment for opening a route for production of free-form inorganic structures -specifically free-form micro-optics. Up to now it was just partially realized and restricted to limitations such as: 2D/2.5D structures [14], or millimeter-scale dimensions [15,16], or non-transparent components [17]. It is intuitively obvious and clearly anticipated that the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of such inorganic optical components will be of higher values preferable in practical micro-optics [18] and nano-photonic applications [19], especially taking into account high-temperature or light-intensity, chemically harsh environments, and heavy duty applications [20].…”