Optimization of hybrid polymer materials for 2PP and fabrication of individually designed hybrid microoptical elements thereof

In the last decade, two-photon polymerization (2PP) has gained increasing interest for the production of individually shaped 3D structures. For the successful implementation of 2PP within a production chain for the industrial manufacturing of optical microstructures, advanced material properties of the photo polymer are required. The usable laser dynamic range, shape accuracy as well as surface roughness play a crucial role. In this publication, we present the results of an iterative optimization process aiming at a material applicable for 3D structures written by 2PP. The special focus here lies on the influence of the photo initiator and stabilizer on the usable laser dynamic range and shape fidelity. The application of the optimized photo polymer for the production of a complex prism array, which could be used as master mold, is also shown. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America