SBIR Phase I: Extension of Multiphoton Polymerization fabrication technology to the fabrication of Retinal Image Management (RIM) elements

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将开发一种多光子聚合(MPP)制造技术，以制造比之前展示的制造此类结构的技术厚100倍的结构。这项研究的重点将是证明，在制造光学元件的深度方向上工作距离为1-2厘米的MPP系统可以产生长度为1厘米的孔，其直径可精确控制在8-10微米。第一阶段还将确定该工艺是否可以扩大到足够大，以制造必要的器件尺寸--大约每侧1-10厘米--需要多个(10,000)个孔。目前的MPP配置不能提供必要的工作距离，也不明显存在任何其他可以工作的技术。使用“正极抗蚀剂”光酸发生器(PAG)材料来形成这些结构，有效地“钻孔”，提供了三个潜在的技术优势：降低聚合的光学剂量，最大限度地减少加工的材料体积，以及提供仅通过调节曝光和激光功率水平来控制的高度均匀的孔尺寸。这种视网膜图像管理(RIM)技术实现的增强成像的潜在好处将是美国的国防/安全领域，以及与视觉健康相关的应用。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a Multiphoton Polymerization (MPP) fabrication technology to fabricate structures 100 times thicker than previously demonstrated for the technology to produce such structures. The research will focus on demonstrating that an MPP system with a 1-2 cm working distance of the fabrication optics in the depth direction can produce holes of 1 cm in length, with precisely controlled 8-10 micron diameter. Phase I will also determine whether the process can be scaled up sufficiently to fabricate the size of devices necessary - on the order of 1-10 cm per side section - requiring a multiplicity (10,000) of holes. Present configurations of MPP cannot provide the necessary working distance, nor is it apparent that there are any other technologies in existence that will work. Using "positive resist" Photo-Acid Generator (PAG) materials to form these structures, effectively "drilling" the holes, offers three potentially enabling technological advantages; lowering the optical dosage for polymerization, minimizing the material volume processed, and providing highly uniform hole dimensions that are controlled solely by adjusting the exposure and the power level of the laser. The potential benefits of the enhanced imaging enabled by this Retinal Image Management (RIM) technology will be in the fields of national defense/security for the USA, and vision health related applications.