Holographic Two-Photon Induced Photopolymerization

Holographic two-photon-induced photopolymerization (HTPIP) offers distinct advantages over conventional one-photon-induced photopolymerization and current techniques in two-photon-induced photopolymerization (TPIP). Conventional one-photon polymerization has been used extensively in high precision processes such as photolithography, microelectronics fabrication and MEMS processing and is, by and large, a two dimensional process. Current two-photon techniques, while offering the capability for three-dimensional processing and high complexity microfabrication, still require sequenitial rastering to induce polymerization. Using a two-photon holographic configuration, HTPIP offers the advantage of three-dimensional processing like conventional TPIP yet polymerization is achieved by parallel holographic exposure as opposed to beam rastering. As a technique, HTPIP shows tremendous potential for 3D patterning of microstructures such as optical data storage devices, multi-layer microfabrication and photonic bandgap structures.