Birefringent microstructures fabricated by two-photon polymerization containing an azopolymer

Abstract

Birefringent materials have many applications in optical devices. An approach to obtain optically induced birefringence is to employ a guesthost strategy, using a polymer matrix containing an azodye. However, such method normally leads to low residual birefringence. Therefore, methodologies to produce microstructures with optimized birefringence are still on demand. Here we report on the fabrication, using two-photon polymerization, and characterization of birefringent microstructures produced in a polymer blend containing an azopolymer. Such microstructures present good structural integrity and residual birefringence of approximately 35 percent, depending on the sample formulation used, which indicates this approach for the fabrication of microoptical devices.