Characterization of Customized Two-Photon Polymerization Print Resins

Highly spherical, uniform wall thickness and low-surface-roughness, millimeter-sized capsules are required for many applications, but especially laser fusion. Unfortunately, conventional manufacturing methods using chemical vapor deposition are limited to achieving 10% production yields meeting specification. Two-photon polymerization (TPP) is a light-driven process that directly prints 3D structures with freedom of design for micron- to millimeter-sized polymers. Materials printed using TPP techniques show promise of material properties similar to those of traditional approaches, but with a greater yield. In this work, two resin types are synthesized (free radical and base catalyzed) and compared to each other for TPP print material properties. Base-catalyzed materials performed with higher print resolution and higher moduli than the free radical resin. Each material was characterized using atomic force microscopy, variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray tomography to allow prompt feedback for the development process.<br/><br/>This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy [National Nuclear Security Administration] University of Rochester “National Inertial Confinement Fusion Program” under Award Number(s) DE-NA0004144.