These 14 images reveal the range of nanostructures the new holographic
technique can fabricate, including magnetic nanoscale gear wheels that
could be remotely moved by applying a magnetic field. CHINESE UNIVERSITY
OF HONG KONG
A new study finds that using holograms, a nanoscale 3D printer can rapidly fabricate complex items with details smaller than a wavelength of visible light.
The new method can simultaneously operate up to 2,000 individually programmable laser foci to fabricate complex structures.
- The
new method uses a near-infrared laser with a peak power of
approximately 10 gigawatts, allowing it to solidify the resin used in
two-photon lithography with a single pulse.
- The researchers
achieved the best resolution with single-pulse exposure, which
is opposite to the conventional approach to achieve high resolution.
- The
scientists could use a hologram to divide each laser pulse into up to
2,000 foci with individually controllable strength, location, and
phase.
- The new method yields the highest energy efficiency in
two-photon lithography, requiring only an average power of 400
milliwatts to operate 2,000 foci.
- One potential application for nanoscale 3D printing is fabricating metastructures.
- The researchers are exploring using AI to generate optimal fabrication procedures with their new technique.
