In-depth fiber optic two-photon polymerization and its applications in micromanipulation

Two photon polymerization (TPP) has enabled three-dimensional microfabrication with sub-diffraction limited spatial resolution. However, depth at which TPP could be achieved, has been limited due to the high numerical aperture microscope objective, used to focus the ultrafast laser beam. Here, we report fiber-optic two photon polymerization (FTP) for in-depth fabrication of microstructures from a photopolymerizable resin. A cleaved single mode optical fiber coupled with tunable femtosecond laser could achieve TPP, forming extended waveguide on the fiber itself. The length of the FTP tip was found to depend on the laser power and exposure duration. Microfabricated fiber tip using FTP was employed to deliver continuous wave laser beam on to polystyrene microspheres in order to transport and manipulate selected particles by scattering force and 2D trapping. Such microstructures formed by TPP on tip of the fiber will also enable puncture and micro-surgery of cellular structures. With use of a cleaved fiber or axicon tip, FTP structures were fabricated on curved surfaces at large depth. The required Power for FTP and the polymerization rate was faster while using an axicon tip optical fiber. This enabled fabrication of complex octopus-like microstructures.