NU2020-223
INVENTORS Sridhar Krishnaswamy* Heming Wei Wisnu Hadibrata Koray Aydin
SHORT DESCRIPTION Fabrication of computationally optimized metalens on fiber tip and use in a two-photon direct laser writing system
BACKGROUND 3D micro/nanofabrication is increasingly becoming of interest for its ability to synthesize customized technologies for a wide range of potential applications in several diverse and large industries. Toward the development of nanofabrication capabilities there are a variety of 3D printing techniques (including photolithography, electron lithography, and nanoimprinting lithography). However, using these technologies in practical fabrication has proved difficulty due to their inability to fabricate complex 3D nanostructures, complexity of the process and cost.
ABSTRACT Northwestern researchers have developed a novel two-photon polymerization system which incorporates a fiber tip metalens for improved two-photon direct laser writing. Specifically, researchers use inverse-design to develop a structurally optimized metalens. This metalens was fabricated onto an optical fiber and this system was incorporated into a two-photon polymerization system constructed by the researchers. Incorporation of these metalens into this system over conventional lenses provides a more cost effective and less complex two-photon polymerization system than systems currently available. In addition, researchers demonstrate that this system can fabricate feature at approximate 220 nm, smaller than what is currently available. Thus, the inventors have developed more cost effective, less complex, and more efficient system for direct laser writing that can be used to fabricate multiscale optical/photonic elements.
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
PUBLICATION Wisnu Hadibrata, Heming Wei, Sridhar Krishnaswamy, and Koray Aydin (2021) Inverse Design and 3D Printing of a Metalens on an Optical Fiber Tip for Direct Laser Lithography. Nano Letters 21:2422-2428.
IP STATUS A provisional application has been filed.