3D lithography by rapid curing of the liquid instabilities at nanoscale
Year: 2011
Authors: Grilli S., Coppola S., Vespini V., Merola F., Finizio A., Ferraro P.
Autors Affiliation: CNR- Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, sede di Napoli, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
Abstract: In liquids realm, surface tension and capillarity are the key forces driving the formation of the shapes pervading the nature. The steady dew drops appearing on plant leaves and spider webs result from the minimization of the overall surface energy [Zheng Y, et al. (2010) Nature 463:640-643]. Thanks to the surface tension, the interfaces of such spontaneous structures exhibit extremely good spherical shape and consequently worthy optical quality. Also nanofluidic instabilities generate a variety of fascinating liquid silhouettes, but they are however intrinsically short-lived. Here we show that such unsteady liquid structures, shaped in polymeric liquids by an electrohydrodynamic pressure, can be rapidly cured by appropriate thermal treatments. The fabrication of many solid microstructures exploitable in photonics is demonstrated, thus leading to a new concept in 3D lithography. The applicability of specific structures as optical tweezers and as novel remotely excitable quantum dots-embedded microresonators is presented.
Journal/Review: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume: 108 (37) Pages from: 15106 to: 15111
KeyWords: 3D lithography; microresonator; axiconDOI: 10.1073/pnas.1110676108ImpactFactor: 9.681Citations: 75data from “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) are update at: 2024-10-06References taken from IsiWeb of Knowledge: (subscribers only)Connecting to view paper tab on IsiWeb: Click hereConnecting to view citations from IsiWeb: Click here