Title: Three-dimensional direct writing of novel sol-gel composites for photonics applications

Authors: M. Farsari, I. Sakellari, D. Gray, M. Vamvakaki, C. Fotakis, A. Ovsianikov, B.N. Chichkov

Addresses: Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ' Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ' Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ' Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ' Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ' Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, D-30419 Hannover, Germany. ' Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, D-30419 Hannover, Germany

Abstract: Two-photon polymerisation of photosensitive materials has emerged as a very promising technique for the fabrication of photonic crystals and devices. In this paper we present our investigations into the structuring by two-photon polymerisation of a new class of photosensitive sol-gel composites exhibiting ultra-low shrinkage. We particularly focus on two composites, the first containing a zirconium alkoxide and the second a nonlinear optical molecule. The three-dimensional photonic crystal structures fabricated using these materials demonstrate high resolution and clear band- stops in the near IR region.

Keywords: two photon polymerisation; photonic crystals; nonlinear optical materials; hybrid materials; Disperse Red 1; sol gel composites; photonics; photosensitive materials; zirconium alkoxide; 3D direct writing; nonlinear optical stereolithography.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2010.034781

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2010 Vol.6 No.1/2/3/4, pp.164 - 175

Published online: 22 Aug 2010 *

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