Materials systems for engineering optical and fluidic devices fabricated via three-dimensional nanoscale interference lithography

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Interference lithography is an exceptionally robust method for fabricating defect-free three-dimensional nanostructures with a continuous network of pores. Such porous nanostructures have great potential for optical applications as the light interacts strongly with the characteristic nanoscale dimensions. Great potential also exists in fluidic applications, where the nanoscale channels forming continuous networks can have tailored properties bestowed by both the choice of materials and the exact nanoscale dimensions of the channels. Further possibilities are had by using both the optical and fluidic capabilities of the nanoscale structures to form optofluidic devices. The underlying hypothesis is that the large defect-free patterns created by interference lithography are highly suitable for engineering nanostructured materials that effectively and compactly combine light-fluid interactions. The immediate goals of the research program are: 1) To develop methods to reliably create large-scale bulk films patterned by interference lithography of photoresists, which will then be inverted or infilled with strategic materials; 2) To develop techniques employing fluid reagents for subsequent large-scale and fine-scale patterning superimposed on the nanostructured porous materials; 3) To measure and engineer the optical signals arising from fluid flowing inside the nanostructured porous materials. Rapid prototyping methods will be employed with solvent casting, electrodeposition, and sol-gel deposition of materials to quickly assess structure quality, process compatibility, and material suitability. The most promising combinations of materials will then be employed in fabricating three-dimensional porous nanostructures. The material choices and internal material distribution inside the nanostructures will be manipulated in order to engineer a favourable interaction between photons and the fluid. This research could provide more economical solar energy collection as the angle at which the sun's rays strike the device can be adjusted for by fluids inside the nanostructure, to maintained focus on tiny embedded photovoltaic cells. Further applications could arise in sensitive, compact, and inexpensive microfluidic-optical sensors.