Two-photon polymerization as a method for fabrication of three-dimensional periodic microstructures

Abstract

It is demonstrated that two-photon polymerization can be employed as a basis for a technology for the fabrication of three-dimensional micro-and submicrostructures, including structures with a periodically alternating refractive index. The rate of polymerization, energy expenditure, and required radiation doses characteristic of two-photon polymerization are estimated. The possibility to apply two-photon polymerization in the bulk of a medium to fabricate three-dimensional photonic crystals in the optical range is discussed.

Near-IR Two-Photon Photoinitiated Polymerization Using a Fluorone/Amine Initiating System

“…This is facilitated by the unique properties associated with simultaneous absorption of two-photons relative to single-photon mediated processes. There have been a limited number of reports of two-photon photopolymerization of commercial acrylate monomer systems, pre-formulated with UV photoinitiators. − Efficient two-photon absorbing compounds based on phenylethenyl constructs bearing electron-donating and/or electron-withdrawing moieties have been reported . Among these are electron-rich derivatives that have been found to undergo a presumed two-photon induced electron transfer to acrylate monomers or proposed fluorescence energy transfer to a photoinitiator, initiating polymerization.…”