Optical fabrication of three-dimensional polymeric microstructures

We present a technique for building three-dimensional structures using optical methods combined with photocuring chemistry. This method merges an optics-based approach with chemical restructuring through the transition of materials from distinct phases. By activating this photocurable material in combination with controlling the intensity distributions that are inherently in optical patterns, in situ fabrication of three-dimensional polymeric microstructures is demonstrated. This experimentally simple approach combined with thermal control can create complex shapes including curved and asymmetric profiles. This method has potential applications in a variety of fields including optical techniques, photoactivatable materials, and laboratory-on-a-chip systems. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.