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

Abstract

A pilot study on laser 3D printing of inorganic free-form micro-optics is experimentally validated. Ultrafast laser direct-write (LDW) nanolithography is employed for structuring hybrid organic-inorganic material SZ2080TM followed by high-temperature calcination post-processing. The combination allows the production of 3D architectures and the heat-treatment results in converting the material to inorganic substances. The produced miniature optical elements are characterized and their optical performance is demonstrated. Finally, the concept is validated for manufacturing compound optical components such as stacked lenses. This is an opening for new directions and applications of laser-made micro-optics under harsh conditions such as high intensity radiation, temperature, acidic environment, pressure variations, which include open space, astrophotonics, and remote sensing.

3D-Nanoprinted Antiresonant Hollow-Core Microgap Waveguide: An on-Chip Platform for Integrated Photonic Devices and Sensors

“…This phenomenon is different to waveguides that operate on total internal reflection and in which the modal losses are defined by scattering. A further reduction of the loss of the waveguide could principally be achieved by using materials with higher refractive index during the printing process like ceramics or crystalline materials provided that the strong shrinkage of the typically used hybrid organic–inorganic resists during the heat-induced curing can be substantially reduced. − On the other hand, materials with lower refractive indices like quartz glass might also be beneficial because the losses from surface roughness could be lower , and the resonances shift less with a varying wall thickness (see eq ). However, the optical properties of the waveguides also depend to a great extent on the mechanical stability of the resist and the ability to create optically smooth surfaces, making it hard to judge a priori which type of resist is best suited.…”

Microstructured Phononic Crystal Isolates from Ultrasonic Mechanical Vibrations

“…The possibility to grade the properties and the anisotropy of the resin can allow the design of new micro-structures. As an additional perspective, it is worth mentioning that the range of materials that can be 3D structured by 2PP is rapidly extending, encompassing glass [48], metal [49], and other inorganic compounds [50]. The multiscale fabrication capabilities of 2PP, from few micrometers to millimeters, combined with the use of materials with different stiffnesses, open unexplored possibilities in the development of applicationtailored 3D phononic structures operating at different frequency intervals.…”

Two-photon polymerization as a potential manufacturing tool for biomimetic engineering of complex structures found in nature

“…50 In addition, a refractive index modification of a hybrid material is also feasible by calcination using pyrolysis as a post-processing. 51,52 For example, the refractive index of SZ2080™ (IESL-FORTH, Greece), a typically used 2PP hybrid material, can be tuned up to a value of 1.617 in this way. 52,53 In this context, it is worth mentioning that the calcination of SZ2080™ simultaneously affects an isotropic shrinkage of 2PPprinted nanostructures by up to 70%.…”

“…51,52 For example, the refractive index of SZ2080™ (IESL-FORTH, Greece), a typically used 2PP hybrid material, can be tuned up to a value of 1.617 in this way. 52,53 In this context, it is worth mentioning that the calcination of SZ2080™ simultaneously affects an isotropic shrinkage of 2PPprinted nanostructures by up to 70%. 54 Thus, this post-processing provides a high scope to continue modifying the bioinspired structures shown in this work.…”