Surface micrograting arrays have applications ranging from diffractive optics to bioengineered surfaces. We report a versatile fabrication platform for the maskless photofabrication of these arrays based on structured polarized light and photoresponsive azopolymer films. The films are patterned using a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured as a polarization modulator. The light source is a 488 nm laser with exposure times of order 5 sec or less. Structured polarized light from the SLM is imaged onto the film, writing a 120 µm x 80 µm surface relief pattern with amplitudes and periods controllable from 25 nm to 1 µm and 700 nm- 10 µm respectively. These are stitched into larger area patterns via XY translation. The versatility is demonstrated through a variety of micrograting patterns, including diffractive optical elements, multiplexed surface grating arrays, and diffractive optically variable image devices for optical security applications. In a different application, the biocompatibility of the polymeric film can be leveraged since cellular interaction with synthetic microscale structures influences a wide array of cell responses. We demonstrate this by showing directed cell growth mediated by the micrograting array. In all examples, the surface gratings required no post-exposure processing, are stable in ambient conditions, and can be replicated using nanoimprint lithography.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.