Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System

Microfabrication using nano‐ to micron‐sized building blocks holds a great potential for applications in next‐generation electronics, optoelectronics, and advanced materials. However, traditional methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy require highly controlled environments...

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Main Authors: Krishangi Krishna, Jieliyue Sun, Wenyu Liu, Robert H. Hurt, Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-05-01
Series:Advanced Photonics Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202500003
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author Krishangi Krishna
Jieliyue Sun
Wenyu Liu
Robert H. Hurt
Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.
author_facet Krishangi Krishna
Jieliyue Sun
Wenyu Liu
Robert H. Hurt
Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.
author_sort Krishangi Krishna
collection DOAJ
description Microfabrication using nano‐ to micron‐sized building blocks holds a great potential for applications in next‐generation electronics, optoelectronics, and advanced materials. However, traditional methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy require highly controlled environments and specialized equipment, limiting scalability and precision. To address these challenges, a single‐laser platform is presented for selective tweezing and immobilization of colloids (STIC) that integrates particle manipulation, assembly, and stabilization in one system. STIC utilizes a femtosecond laser at ultra‐low power for precise, contact‐free optical manipulation of colloids without material damage. At higher power, the same laser enables two‐photon polymerization (TPP) to immobilize colloids securely in their intended positions. Using STIC, the assembly of 3D structures from dielectric beads to patterned arrangements of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs e.g., MoS2) is demonstrated. Also a TPP‐fabricated handle as an intermediate support is incorporated which significantly enhances the optical tweezing efficiency of TMDs. The single‐laser design eliminates the need for dual‐laser systems, simplifying optical alignment, reducing heat damage, and improving efficiency. Additionally, it is shown that STIC supports direct multiphoton imaging for in situ inspection during fabrication. This work establishes a versatile, scalable optical platform for high‐precision microstructure fabrication, offering a pathway to overcome current limitations in micro‐ and nanomanufacturing.
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spelling doaj-art-5c17db52cc204a828acd805787fbb49b2025-08-20T01:48:34ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Photonics Research2699-92932025-05-0165n/an/a10.1002/adpr.202500003Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated SystemKrishangi Krishna0Jieliyue Sun1Wenyu Liu2Robert H. Hurt3Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.4PROBE Lab School of Engineering Brown University Providence RI 02912 USAPROBE Lab School of Engineering Brown University Providence RI 02912 USAPROBE Lab School of Engineering Brown University Providence RI 02912 USALaboratory for Environmental and Health Nanoscience School of Engineering Providence RI 02912 USAPROBE Lab School of Engineering Brown University Providence RI 02912 USAMicrofabrication using nano‐ to micron‐sized building blocks holds a great potential for applications in next‐generation electronics, optoelectronics, and advanced materials. However, traditional methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy require highly controlled environments and specialized equipment, limiting scalability and precision. To address these challenges, a single‐laser platform is presented for selective tweezing and immobilization of colloids (STIC) that integrates particle manipulation, assembly, and stabilization in one system. STIC utilizes a femtosecond laser at ultra‐low power for precise, contact‐free optical manipulation of colloids without material damage. At higher power, the same laser enables two‐photon polymerization (TPP) to immobilize colloids securely in their intended positions. Using STIC, the assembly of 3D structures from dielectric beads to patterned arrangements of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs e.g., MoS2) is demonstrated. Also a TPP‐fabricated handle as an intermediate support is incorporated which significantly enhances the optical tweezing efficiency of TMDs. The single‐laser design eliminates the need for dual‐laser systems, simplifying optical alignment, reducing heat damage, and improving efficiency. Additionally, it is shown that STIC supports direct multiphoton imaging for in situ inspection during fabrication. This work establishes a versatile, scalable optical platform for high‐precision microstructure fabrication, offering a pathway to overcome current limitations in micro‐ and nanomanufacturing.https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202500003microfabricationoptical tweezerstwo‐dimensional materialstwo‐photon polymerization
spellingShingle Krishangi Krishna
Jieliyue Sun
Wenyu Liu
Robert H. Hurt
Kimani C. Toussaint Jr.
Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
Advanced Photonics Research
microfabrication
optical tweezers
two‐dimensional materials
two‐photon polymerization
title Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
title_full Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
title_fullStr Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
title_short Harnessing Ultrafast Optical Pulses for 3D Microfabrication by Selective Tweezing and Immobilization of Colloidal Particles in an Integrated System
title_sort harnessing ultrafast optical pulses for 3d microfabrication by selective tweezing and immobilization of colloidal particles in an integrated system
topic microfabrication
optical tweezers
two‐dimensional materials
two‐photon polymerization
url https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202500003
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