Abstract
Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new paradigm in customized manufacturing and allows the fabrication of complex optical components and metaphotonic structures that are difficult to realize via traditional methods. Conventional lithography techniques are usually limited to planar patterning, but 3D printing can allow the fabrication and integration of complex shapes or multiple parts along the out-of-plane direction. Additionally, 3D printing can allow printing on curved surfaces. Four-dimensional (4D) printing adds active, responsive functions to 3D-printed structures and provides new avenues for active, reconfigurable optical and microwave structures. This review introduces recent developments in 3D and 4D printing, with emphasis on topics that are interesting for the nanophotonics and metaphotonics communities. In this article, we have first discussed functional materials for 3D and 4D printing. Then, we have presented the various designs and applications of 3D and 4D printing in the optical, terahertz, and microwave domains. 3D printing can be ideal for customized, nonconventional optical components and complex metaphotonic structures. Furthermore, with various printable smart materials, 4D printing might provide a unique platform for active and reconfigurable structures. Therefore, 3D and 4D printing can introduce unprecedented opportunities in optics and metaphotonics and may have applications in freeform optics, integrated optical and optoelectronic devices, displays, optical sensors, antennas, active and tunable photonic devices, and biomedicine. Abundant new opportunities exist for exploration.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new paradigm in the customized manufacturing of products and components using digital blueprints [1,2,3]
This review introduces recent developments in 3D and 4D printing, with emphasis on topics that are interesting for the nanophotonics and metaphotonics communities
We have introduced recent developments in 3D and 4D printing and covered topics that are of interest for the nanophotonics and metaphotonics communities
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new paradigm in the customized manufacturing of products and components using digital blueprints [1,2,3]. 3D digital objects can be realized with unprecedented complexities in shape and material. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a common type of 3D printing that is widely used in either low-cost 3D printers or professional 3D printers It is based on the material extrusion, where thermoplastic materials are melted and pulled out through a nozzle to form successive object layers. Using 4D printing, the shape or properties of structures created via 3D printing can be transformed in response to external stimuli. These active structures can be useful for a wide range of potential applications in actuators, switches, sensors, deployable structures, soft robotics, and medical devices.
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