3D Micro- and Nanostructuring by Two-Photon Polymerization

Abstract

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) processes have become a resource-efficient and excellent tool for the easy fabrication of complex components from a wide range of materials. Among these AM processes, two-photon polymerization represents one of the most flexible and high-resolution processes, as it enables the full three-dimensional fabrication of complex structures based on CAD models with a resolution of less than 100 nm. The 2PP process is based on the principle of direct laser writing, which uses the nonlinear two-photon absorption at the focus of a femtosecond laser beam to induce a highly localized polymerization of the photosensitive material. Through computer-controlled three-dimensional guidance of the focus, complex structures can be generated directly in the volume of the material; thus, layer-by-layer fabrication, as in many other methods, is not required.Due to these properties, 2PP opens up new possibilities in the development of novel and miniaturized devices for different applications, so that it is successfully applied in various research areas today. In this chapter, we would like to introduce both the principle of 2PP and the main application areas. In this context, we will highlight the three largest application areas, namely, optics, microfluidics, and biomedicine, and present interesting results that should give the reader a deep insight.KeywordsNanotechnologyTwo-photon polymerizationAdditive manufacturingMicrostructuresFemtosecond laser