Abstract:
A semi-submersible microscope objective (100) includes a microscope objective having a protective barrel (120) with an optical inlet (122) and optical outlet (124), and a protective element (130) affixed to the microscope objective, sealing the optical outlet (124) but not the optical inlet (122). A transparent portion (132) of the protective element is aligned with the optical exit (124). The protective element is separable from the microscope objective without damaging the microscope objective. Use of the semi- submersible microscope objective in a multiphoton imaging method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Method of fabricating an optical element. A photodefinable composition is provided that includes (i) a hydrophobic, photodefinable polymer, said photodefinable polymer having a glass transition temperature in the cured state of at least about 80 DEG C; and (ii) a multiphoton photoinitiator system comprising at least one multiphoton photosensitizer and preferably at least one phtoinitiator that is capable of being photosensitized by the phtosensitizer. One or more portions of the composition are imagewise exposed to the electromagnetic energy under conditions effective to photodefinably form at least a portion of a three-dimensional optical element.
Abstract:
A process comprises imagewise exposing at least a portion of a photoreactive composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons / thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of light extraction structures. Each one of the array of light extraction structures has at least one shape factor; the shape factor may vary across the array. At least one light extraction structure may have the geometric configuration of a truncated asphere.
Abstract:
A process for making a microneedle array master comprises: (a) providing a photoreactive composition, the photoreactive composition comprising: (1) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction, and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; and (b) imagewise exposing at least a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of microneedles. The microneedles may be solid and the outer surface of the microneedles may be characterized by at least one concave area. The master may be used to fabricate a tool for replication.
Abstract:
A method of increasing the efficiency of a multiphoton absorption process and apparatus. The method includes: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons; exposing the photoreactive composition to at least one transit of light from the light source; and directing at least a portion of the first transit of the light back into the photoreactive composition using at least one optical element, wherein a plurality of photons not absorbed in at least one transit are used to expose the photoreactive composition in a subsequent transit.
Abstract:
Nozzle and a method of making the same are disclosed. The method includes (a) providing a microstructured mold pattern defining at least a portion of a mold and comprising a plurality of replica nozzle holes and replica planar control cavities; (b) molding a first material into a nozzle forming microstructured pattern using the microstructured mold pattern, with the nozzle forming microstructured pattern comprising a plurality of nozzle hole forming features and planar control cavity forming features; (c) forming a second material into a nozzle pre-form using the nozzle forming microstructured pattern, with the nozzle pre-form comprising a plurality of nozzle pre-form holes and sacrificial planar control cavities; and (d) forming a nozzle from the nozzle pre-form, said forming the nozzle comprising removing enough of the second material to remove the sacrificial planar control cavities so as to form a top surface of the nozzle pre-form into a planar top surface of the nozzle, and to form each of the nozzle pre-form holes into a nozzle through hole.
Abstract:
A multilayer imageable article with at least two layers including a multiphoton imageable composition. The composition includes a multiphoton-sensitive photoactive system and at least one of a dye and a dye precursor. The photoactive system includes a multiphoton sensitizer capable of simultaneously absorbing at least two photons, an electron acceptor capable of transformation to a dye-activating species upon interaction with the multiphoton sensitizer subsequent to absorption of at least two photons, and optionally an electron donor.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating optical elements that are encapsulated in monolithic matrices. The present invention is based, at least in one aspect, upon the concept of using multiphoton, multi-step photocuring to fabricate encapsulated optical element(s) within a body of a photopolymerizable composition. Imagewise, multi-photon polymerization techniques are used to form the optical element. The body surrounding the optical element is also photohardened by blanket irradiation and/or thermal curing to help form an encapsulating structure. In addition, the composition also incorporates one or more other, non-diffusing binder components that may be thermosetting or thermoplastic. The end result is an encapsulated structure with good hardness, durability, dimensional stability, resilience, and toughness.
Abstract:
A method for enhancing photoreactive absorption in a specified volume element of a photoreactive composition. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of light (preferably, a pulsed laser) sufficient for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition, the light source having a beam capable of being divided; dividing the light beam into a plurality of equal path length exposure beams; and focusing the exposure beams in a substantially non-counter propagating manner at a single volume element of the photoreactive composition simultaneously to react at least a portion of the photoreactive composition. In another embodiment, a method includes: providing a photoreactive composition capable of photoreactive absorption; and exposing the photoreactive composition to laser light from a plurality of substantially non-counter propagating directions simultaneously, wherein the light overlaps in time and space at a predetermined focus spot.
Abstract:
Methods for producing a region of at least partially reacted material in a photoreactive composition and apparatus. The methods include: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition; providing an exposure system capable of inducing image-wise multiphoton absorption; generating a non-random three-dimensional pattern of light by means of the exposure system; and exposing the photoreactive composition to the three-dimensional pattern of light generated by the exposure system to at least partially react a portion of the material in correspondence with the non-random three-dimensional pattern of light incident thereon.