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Two-photon absorption under few-photon irradiation for optical nanoprinting

Author

Listed:
  • Zi-Xin Liang

    (Jinan University)

  • Yuan-Yuan Zhao

    (Jinan University)

  • Jing-Tao Chen

    (Jinan University)

  • Xian-Zi Dong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Feng Jin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mei-Ling Zheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xuan-Ming Duan

    (Jinan University)

Abstract

Two-photon absorption (TPA) has been widely applied for three-dimensional imaging and nanoprinting; however, the efficiency of TPA imaging and nanoprinting using laser scanning techniques is limited by its trade-off to reach high resolution. Here, we unveil a concept, few-photon irradiated TPA, supported by a spatiotemporal model based on the principle of wave-particle duality of light. This model describes the precise time-dependent mechanism of TPA under ultralow photon irradiance with a single tightly focused femtosecond laser pulse. We demonstrate that a feature size of 26 nm (1/20 λ) and a pattern period of 0.41 λ with a laser wavelength of 517 nm can be achieved by performing digital optical projection nanolithography under few-photon irradiation using the in-situ multiple exposure technique, improving printing efficiency by 5 orders of magnitude. We show deeper insights into the TPA mechanism and encourage the exploration of potential applications for TPA in nanoprinting and nanoimaging.

Suggested Citation

  • Zi-Xin Liang & Yuan-Yuan Zhao & Jing-Tao Chen & Xian-Zi Dong & Feng Jin & Mei-Ling Zheng & Xuan-Ming Duan, 2025. "Two-photon absorption under few-photon irradiation for optical nanoprinting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57390-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57390-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Satoshi Kawata & Hong-Bo Sun & Tomokazu Tanaka & Kenji Takada, 2001. "Finer features for functional microdevices," Nature, Nature, vol. 412(6848), pages 697-698, August.
    2. Brian H. Cumpston & Sundaravel P. Ananthavel & Stephen Barlow & Daniel L. Dyer & Jeffrey E. Ehrlich & Lael L. Erskine & Ahmed A. Heikal & Stephen M. Kuebler & I.-Y. Sandy Lee & Dianne McCord-Maughon &, 1999. "Two-photon polymerization initiators for three-dimensional optical data storage and microfabrication," Nature, Nature, vol. 398(6722), pages 51-54, March.
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