High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization

We experimentally demonstrate high-resolution imaging using micro-objectives fabricated by two-photon polymerization (2PP) lithography, highlighting its potential as a flexible and precise fabrication method. The 2PP manufacturing process offers the ability to develop micro-optics with customized ge...

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Main Authors: Fabian Thiemicke, Mostafa Agour, Ralf B. Bergmann, Claas Falldorf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8756
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author Fabian Thiemicke
Mostafa Agour
Ralf B. Bergmann
Claas Falldorf
author_facet Fabian Thiemicke
Mostafa Agour
Ralf B. Bergmann
Claas Falldorf
author_sort Fabian Thiemicke
collection DOAJ
description We experimentally demonstrate high-resolution imaging using micro-objectives fabricated by two-photon polymerization (2PP) lithography, highlighting its potential as a flexible and precise fabrication method. The 2PP manufacturing process offers the ability to develop micro-optics with customized geometries and material properties, including tailored refractive indices. This flexibility introduces new degrees of freedom in optical system design and expands the applicability of micro-optics to advanced imaging tasks where other materials and fabrication methods are insufficient. For our study, bi-convex micro-optics with different geometries with radii of curvature of <15 <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>m and minimized contact areas (<1 <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula><inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">m</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>) to ensure easy release from the substrate were fabricated with 2PP and investigated for their optical performance. With these micro-optics, the tracks with a pitch of 320 nm and the pits and lands as small as 130 nm were successfully resolved on a BluRay disc surface, demonstrating for the first time the high-resolution imaging capabilities of bi-convex spherical micro lenses.
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spelling doaj-art-cbc4dd49685747b8a6b3a98c7cb965ab2025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-08-011515875610.3390/app15158756High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-PolymerizationFabian Thiemicke0Mostafa Agour1Ralf B. Bergmann2Claas Falldorf3BIAS—Bremer Institut für Angewandte Strahltechnik, 28359 Bremen, GermanyBIAS—Bremer Institut für Angewandte Strahltechnik, 28359 Bremen, GermanyBIAS—Bremer Institut für Angewandte Strahltechnik, 28359 Bremen, GermanyBIAS—Bremer Institut für Angewandte Strahltechnik, 28359 Bremen, GermanyWe experimentally demonstrate high-resolution imaging using micro-objectives fabricated by two-photon polymerization (2PP) lithography, highlighting its potential as a flexible and precise fabrication method. The 2PP manufacturing process offers the ability to develop micro-optics with customized geometries and material properties, including tailored refractive indices. This flexibility introduces new degrees of freedom in optical system design and expands the applicability of micro-optics to advanced imaging tasks where other materials and fabrication methods are insufficient. For our study, bi-convex micro-optics with different geometries with radii of curvature of <15 <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula>m and minimized contact areas (<1 <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi></semantics></math></inline-formula><inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">m</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>) to ensure easy release from the substrate were fabricated with 2PP and investigated for their optical performance. With these micro-optics, the tracks with a pitch of 320 nm and the pits and lands as small as 130 nm were successfully resolved on a BluRay disc surface, demonstrating for the first time the high-resolution imaging capabilities of bi-convex spherical micro lenses.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8756high resolution imagingmicro-spheres2-photon-polymerization
spellingShingle Fabian Thiemicke
Mostafa Agour
Ralf B. Bergmann
Claas Falldorf
High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
Applied Sciences
high resolution imaging
micro-spheres
2-photon-polymerization
title High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
title_full High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
title_fullStr High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
title_full_unstemmed High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
title_short High Resolution Imaging Using Micro-Objectives Fabricated by 2-Photon-Polymerization
title_sort high resolution imaging using micro objectives fabricated by 2 photon polymerization
topic high resolution imaging
micro-spheres
2-photon-polymerization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8756
work_keys_str_mv AT fabianthiemicke highresolutionimagingusingmicroobjectivesfabricatedby2photonpolymerization
AT mostafaagour highresolutionimagingusingmicroobjectivesfabricatedby2photonpolymerization
AT ralfbbergmann highresolutionimagingusingmicroobjectivesfabricatedby2photonpolymerization
AT claasfalldorf highresolutionimagingusingmicroobjectivesfabricatedby2photonpolymerization