Multiphoton-polymerization (MPP) - GMP SA

Photonic Crystal

Photonic crystals is one application for multiphoton polymerization (MPP). The MPP technique enables the production of arbitrary shaped 3D structures from various polymers. The single linewidth of the woodpile photonic crystal shown in the illustration is lower than 200 nm. As the dimensions of the feature resolution could be comparable to the wavelength of visible light, alternating periodic structures such as photonic crystals can be made which can serve for modulating the light path. Various photonic devices can be made by employing MPP.

3d Chain-Mail Structure

Functionally intertwined geometries such as chain mail make it possible to create flexible structures out of hard material. Standard 3D printing does not enables printing of movable structures because supports are required to maintain the shape. Meanwhile, structures can be fabricated inside a gel or liquid monomer by using the multiphoton polymerization technique which makes support‑free 3D printing possible. In this way, movable assembly-free structures can be created. This property opens up the possibility of producing free micromechanical structures that could be used in various fields such as micromechanics and microrobotics.

3D Gyroid Structure

Multi-photon polymerization is a suitable technology for meta-material fabrication. Metamaterials are composites whose physical properties are different from those of the materials they are made from.
The 3D gyroid structure is mechanically rigid, but light. The structure is fabricated by using the widened objective working (WOW) distance approach, with which the working distance of the high numerical aperture objective can be increased. The overall size of this structure – is 1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm. The structure height is much greater than the working distance of the objective used (0.19 mm). This microfabrication technique makes it possible to fabricate mesoscale structures – structures whose total size is a few orders larger than their finest feature.

Fresnel Lens

Microoptics is one of the applications for multi‑photon polymerization (MPP) technology. Using this technology, polymeric structures with a resolution of hundreds of nm can be obtained. Due to the accuracy of the technology, micro-optical structures of complex shape such as Fresnel lenses can be fabricated. In this way, a Fresnel-like lens with a varying aspherical profile can be produced. The illustrated lens has a diameter of 500 µm. Superb nearly spherical aberration-free focusing can be obtained in each Fresnel zone. Microoptics can be used in various optics and photonics applications
for the purpose of miniaturization.

3D Structures on Fiber Tip

Microoptics is one of the applications for 3D laser lithography. This technology is unique in that micro‑optics can be directly printed on top of functional devices, avoiding the assembly step. In this picture, the microlens with a diameter of 50 µm is fabricated on top of the fiber. The 3D supports ensure a required 250 µm distance between the fiber tip and the lens. Such integrated optical components enable the visualization or filtering of optical signals. Possible application areas can be found in miniaturized sensing technologies.

3D Scaffold

One of the challenges in tissue engineering is the need for cell-size cages where cells can be encapsulated. A porous 3D structure of arbitrary geometry formed from biocompatible material is the perfect option for scaffold manufacturing.
Scaffold-like structure can be produced within a resolution of up to 150 nm capable of entrapping submicrometer sized cells by multiphoton polymerization (MPP) technique. MPP is a flexible technology that allows for the formation of various resolutions and different shaped structures.

Ceramic Structures

The multiphoton polymerization technique with hybrid polymers in combination with pyrolysis enables the removal of the organic part of the polymer and produces ceramic structures. Structure shrinkage during pyrolysis is homogeneous and is approximately 25%. This property gives precise control of the structure geometry and obtains even higher resolution than the resolution in the polymeric parts which could be up to 100 nm. In contrast with polymers, ceramic structures show high mechanical rigidity, 1000 times more rigid than polymeric material. Ceramic structures are suitable for the fabrication of micromechanical parts.

Prism for Elipsometry

Microoptics is one of the applications for 3D laser lithography. This illustration shows a fabricated micro prism with a grating on one side.
Since only one optical surface is needed, dynamic slicing and hatching can be used to increase throughput. Multiphoton polymerization is a flexibles technique that allows different quality and various functionality surfaces to be maintained on the same structures depending on the needs of the application. These microoptical components can be printed on functional devices such as fiber tips to filter and detect light signals.

3D Meso-Spring

3D laser lithography is a suitable technology for the production of high-precision micromechanical components, an example being the single-helix three-turn 3D meso-spring for micro-mechanical applications. The design of such a part gives it flexibility, so that these small parts could be used in microrobotics or in watches. Different polymeric materials could be chosen depending on the exact application.

Microneedles

Microneedles, currently a hot topic in various medical device and bioengineering fields, can be used for drug delivery or diagnostics. One of the best ways to produce them is the multi-photon polymerization technique which enables the production of precise and firm microneedles. Even more complex shapes of polymeric needles can be obtained by maintaining the high sharpness of the needle tips. Various polymeric materials can be used for microneedle fabrication depending on the exact application. In most cases, the structures can easily be replicated by using various molding techniques.