Photo-activated polymerization inhibition process in photoinitiator systems for high-throughput 3D nanoprinting

The systems for multiphoton 3D nanoprinting are rapidly increasing in print speed for larger throughput and scale, unfortunately without also improvement in resolution. Separately, the process of photoinhibition lithography has been demonstrated to enhance the resolution of multiphoton printing through the introduction of a secondary laser source. The photo-chemical dynamics and interactions for achieving photoinhibition in the various multiphoton photoinitiator systems are complex and still not well understood. Here, we examine the photoinhibition process of the common photoinitiator 7-diethylamino 3-thenoylcoumarin (DETC) with inhibition lasers near or at the multiphoton printing laser wavelength in typical low peak intensity, high repetition rate 3D nanoprinting processes. We demonstrate the clear inhibition of the polymerization process consistent with a triplet absorption deactivation mechanism for a DETC photoresist as well as show inhibition for several other photoresist systems. Additionally, we explore options to recover the photoinhibition process when printing with high intensity, low repetition rate lasers. Finally, we demonstrate photoinhibition in a projection multiphoton printing system. This investigation of photoinhibition lithography with common photoinitiators elucidates the possibility for photoinhibition occurring in many resist systems with typical high repetition rate multiphoton printing lasers as well as for high-speed projection multiphoton printing.

Automated summary

The use of a secondary laser source in photoinhibition lithography enhances the resolution of multiphoton 3D nanoprinting processes. However, the complex photo-chemical dynamics and interactions involved in this process are not well understood. This study investigates the photoinhibition process of the common photoinitiator DETC in low peak intensity, high repetition rate 3D nanoprinting processes and demonstrates inhibition of the polymerization process. It also explores options for recovering the photoinhibition process in high intensity, low repetition rate lasers and demonstrates photoinhibition in a projection multiphoton printing system.