Holographic recording and micro/nanofabrication via ultrafast holographic two-photon induced photopolymerization (H-TPIP)

• US 6,624,915 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2000
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leidos, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: Stone, Morley O., Baur, Jeffery W., Kirkpatrick, Sean M., Denny, Lisa R., Natarajan, Lalgudi V., Bunning, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JUBA JR, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/657,169
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 359/3, 359/4, 359/7, 359/1, 359/900, 365/106, 365/216, 430/1, 369/103, 349/193, 349/201
• US Class Current: 359/3
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/001 Phase modulating patterns, e.g. refractive index patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70375 Multiphoton lithography or multiphoton photopolymerization; Imaging systems comprising means for converting one type of radiation into another type of radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70408 Interferometric lithography; Holographic lithography; Self-imaging lithography, e.g. utilizing the Talbot effect
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/02 Details of features involved during the holographic process; Replication of holograms without interference recording
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/026 Recording materials or recording processes G03H2226/11 takes precedence; corresponding details, see subgroups of G03H2260/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2260/12 Photopolymer
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/00455 involving reflectivity, absorption or colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/0065 Recording, reproducing or erasing by using optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24044 for storing optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms; for storing data in three dimensions, e.g. volume storage G11B7/24038 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/244 comprising organic materials only
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/245 containing a polymeric component
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/25 containing liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/042 using information stored in the form of interference pattern
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A process and photoactive media for holographic recording and micro/nanofabrication of optical and bio-optical structures via the simultaneous absorption of two-photons by the photoactive media to induce a simultaneous photochemical change in regions of constructive interference within a holographic pattern is disclosed. The photochemical process of polymerization resulting from the simultaneous absorption of two-photons may be used for the microfabrication of micro and nanoscaled features, holographic data storage, and the formation of switchable diffraction gratings.

Claims

1. A system for forming a switchable hologram comprising:

a first and a second coherent energy beam; and

a blank located in the path of the first and second coherent energy beams, wherein the first and second coherent energy beams interfere within the blank to form areas of constructive interference and induce simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of the simultaneous absorptiorn of two-photons by a chromophore thereby forming a switchable hologram, and further wherein the switchable hologram is switchable between a diffractive state and a non-diffractive state.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blank comprises:

(a) at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore;

(b) at least one initiator; and

(c) at least one reactive matrix.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one chromophore includes the at least one initiator.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one chromophore is Rose Bengal.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one initiator is a photoinitiator.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second coherent energy beams emit energy in the infrared bandwidth.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the infrared bandwidth is approximately 700-900 nanometers.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first coherent energy beam and the second coherent energy beam do not have equal energy values.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the single coherent energy beam is at least one pulse on the order of femtoseconds in duration.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blank is water-compatible.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the resulting induced photochemical change includes a pattern written in the areas of constructive interference.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the areas of constructive interference result in a grating pattern.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hologram is a reflection hologram.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hologram is a transmission hologram.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blank comprises at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore and at least one reactive matrix.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore is an initiator.

17. A method for forming a hologram, comprising:

directing a first and a second coherent energy beam at a blank, wherein the blank includes at least one liquid crystal material;

interfering the first and the second coherent energy beams within the blank;

creating regions of constructive interference within the blank as a result of interfering the first and second coherent energy beams;

inducing simultaneous absorption of two photons within the blank; and

initiating simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of inducing the simultaneous absorption of two-photons within the blank.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the blank comprises:

(a) at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore;

(b) at least one initiator; and

(c) at least one reactive matrix.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising passing one of the first and second coherent energy beams through a sample prior to interfering the first and the second coherent energy beams within the blank.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the hologram is a reflection hologram.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the hologram is a transmission hologram.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein the hologram is switchable between a diffractive state and non-diffractive state.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein the blank comprises at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore and at least one reactive matrix.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the at least one two-photon absorbing chromophore is an initiator.

25. A system for forming a hologram comprising:

a first and a second coherent energy beam; and

a blank located in the path of the first and second coherent energy beams, wherein the first and second coherent energy beams interfere within the blank to form areas of constructive interference and induce simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of the simultaneous absorption of two photons, and wherein the blank comprises a reactive monomer and a liquid crystal material.

26. A system for forming a hologram comprising:

a first and a second coherent energy beam;

a blank located in the path of the first and second coherent energy beams, wherein the first and second coherent energy beams interfere within the blank to form areas of constructive interference and induce simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of the simultaneous absorption of two photons, and

wherein the blank comprises a reactive monomer and a liquid crystal material; and

a sample located within the path of one of the first and second coherent energy beams, wherein the one of the first and second coherent energy beams passes first through the sample and second through the blank.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the sample comprises biological material.

28. A system for forming a hologram comprising:

a first and a second coherent energy beam;

a blank located in the path of the first and second coherent energy beams, wherein the first and second coherent energy beams interfere within the blank to form areas of constructive interference and induce simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of the simultaneous absorption of two photons, and

wherein the blank comprises at least one liquid crystal material.

29. A method for forming a hologram, comprising:

directing a first and a second coherent energy beam at a blank;

interfering the first and the second coherent energy beams within the blank;

creating regions of constructive interference within the blank as a result of interfering the first and second coherent energy beams;

inducing simultaneous absorption of two photons within the blank; and

initiating simultaneous areas of photochemical change in parallel within the blank as a result of inducing the simultaneous two-photon reaction within the blank, wherein the blank comprises reactive monomer and liquid crystal material.