Nanoscribe introduces novel 2GL microfabrication technology
The technology merges the high resolution of Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP) with a unique, patented voxel tuning process to achieve significantly fewer printing layers
Nanoscribe, a BICO company, has introduced a novel 3D microfabrication technology – Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography (2GL). The technology merges the high resolution of Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP) with a unique, patented voxel tuning process to achieve significantly fewer printing layers – making 2GL the fastest 2PP-based 3D printing technology, with unparalleled shape accuracy and superior print quality. It paves the way for new applications, such as manufacturing even more filigree micro-optical systems with distinctly higher quality, in much shorter print times. 3D grayscale printing is now offered as a new feature for Quantum X align.
Nanoscribe’s Quantum X platform, with its patented Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography technology for additive manufacturing of optical-grade 2D and 2.5D microstructures, is a leading solution for industrial manufacturing and mastering of micro-optics. Now, Nanoscribe has taken the voxel tuning technology to the third dimension by introducing 3D printing by 2GL as an essential addition to the Aligned Two-Photon Lithography (A2PL) features of Quantum X align.
Precision and accuracy
The printing process relies on the dynamic modulation of laser power in real time while scanning at the highest speed. This results in a precise size adjustment of the polymerizing voxel to ‘perfectly’ match the contours of any 3D shape. 3D printing by 2GL guarantees flawless, optical-grade surfaces and the finest, submicron features without any slicing steps or shape distortion, just the real shape of any 3D print design.
Up to 60x higher throughput
3D printing by 2GL is one of the fastest 2PP-based microfabrication technology on the market. Its dynamic voxel tuning requires significantly fewer printing layers to achieve print results with optical-grade, smooth, and nanostructured surfaces. This translates to a manufacturing speed currently unattainable by any available 2PP-based 3D printer available – delivering 10 to 60 times the throughput of alternative 2-photon lithography system when meeting demanding print quality requirements (design dependent, compared to the same print quality).
Photonic applications
3D printing by 2GL significantly advances micro-optics manufacturing and photonics packaging. Nanoscribe’s Quantum X align with its Aligned 2-Photon Lithography A2PL is equipped with this new printing technology, supported by the nanoPrintX advanced aligner software.
Quantum X align is optimized for printing micro-optical elements with the highest placement accuracy and automatically aligned on optical fibers and photonic chips. With an entirely new level of manufacturing quality and speed, 3D printing by 2GL paves the way for advancing the industrialization of Free Space Micro-Optical Coupling (FSMOC) as a highly robust and efficient light coupling solution for photonics packaging and integration.
