Feature size reduction in two-photon polymerization by optimizing resin composition

Author(s)

Consoli, Pedro M. ^[1] ; Otuka, Adriano J. G. ^[1] ; Balogh, Debora T. ^[1] ; Mendonca, Cleber R. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, POB 369, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART B-POLYMER PHYSICS; v. 56, n. 16, p. 1158-1163, AUG 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

In the last decades, an increasing refinement over submicroscopic scales has played a decisive role in boosting scientific and technological progress. When dealing with miniaturized devices, organic materials have drawn considerable attention, not only for requiring lower energies during processing but also for allowing functionalization with ease, exhibiting biocompatibility and presenting high optical quality. In this scenario, the modification of acrylate polymers by femtosecond lasers has become an important mechanism. Among the main techniques based upon this principle, two-photon polymerization (2PP) stands out due to its capability of producing fine features. Still, 2PP has often been combined with sophisticated methods devised to further improve spatial resolution and miniaturized devices. However, such measures invariably raise the cost of the experiments by demanding either the addition of other chemical compounds or a second laser system. In this study, we discuss how the relative proportion of acrylate monomers and different concentrations of a photoinitiator influence the final dimension of structures fabricated using polymeric samples, which are widely used in 2PP experiments. Furthermore, we demonstrate that it is possible to produce finer features only by varying the proportion of these constituents, achieving linewidths on the order of 360 nm and heights on order of 300 nm. (C) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12399-0 - Femtosecond pulses applied to nonlinear optics: spectroscopy, pulse shaping and microfabrication
• Grantee: Cleber Renato Mendonça
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/20094-8 - Fabrication of biocompatible and biologically active platforms using laser processing techniques
• Grantee: Adriano José Galvani Otuka
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/16626-1 - Influence of the resin composition on the resolution of the two-photon absorption polymerization
• Grantee: Pedro Monteiro Cônsoli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation