Micro- and nano- rapid prototyping using two-photon-polymerization

Electron microscopic image of a group of split ring resonators as a metamaterial in distant IR made with two-photon-polymerization. The polymer structures were selectively metallized after generation, in order to ensure that electrically conductive structures are on a non-conductive substrate. Cooperation was with IESL FORTH (Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas; image colored)

A polymer waveguide (splitter) for surface plasmons on a gold surface. The microscopic image shows both the waveguide, which is 700 nm wide, and the plasmon in the waveguide

Work of the group focusses on:

• Nanophotonics, plasmonics and metamaterials – innovative optical components for sensor technology
• Theoretical simulations of electromagnetic fields in nanostructures – studies on the basic characteristics of nanostructured materials
• Laser-based micro- and nanostructuring: Two-photon-polymerization, laser ablation, lithography, laser-induced transfer
• Micro-fluidic and micro-optical systems – integrated optics and micro-laboratories

Current scientific work and projects:

• Investigations on linear and non-linear plasmonic interactions
• Generation and characterization of the optical characteristics of monodispersed and orderly arranged nanoparticles made of metals and semi-conductors
• Time-resolved optical imaging of surface plasmons
• Sensor systems with highly ordered nanoparticle fields
• Research Group „Nanophotonics“ in the Cluster of Excellence QUEST (DFG)
• „Probing of nonlinear plasmon-plasmon interactions” (DFG)
• „microFLUID“ (EU)