SBIR Phase I: Extension of Multiphoton Polymerization fabrication technology to the fabrication of Retinal Image Management (RIM) elements

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a Multiphoton Polymerization (MPP) fabrication technology to fabricate structures 100 times thicker than previously demonstrated for the technology to produce such structures. The research will focus on demonstrating that an MPP system with a 1-2 cm working distance of the fabrication optics in the depth direction can produce holes of 1 cm in length, with precisely controlled 8-10 micron diameter. Phase I will also determine whether the process can be scaled up sufficiently to fabricate the size of devices necessary - on the order of 1-10 cm per side section - requiring a multiplicity (>10,000) of holes. Present configurations of MPP cannot provide the necessary working distance, nor is it apparent that there are any other technologies in existence that will work. Using ""positive resist"" Photo-Acid Generator (PAG) materials to form these structures, effectively ""drilling"" the holes, offers three potentially enabling technological advantages; lowering the optical dosage for polymerization, minimizing the material volume processed, and providing highly uniform hole dimensions that are controlled solely by adjusting the exposure and the power level of the laser. The potential benefits of the enhanced imaging enabled by this Retinal Image Management (RIM) technology will be in the fields of national defense/security for the USA, and vision health related applications.