Abstract: A single- or multi-photon reactive composition comprises a liquid polysilazane precursor, a multifunctional acrylate additive, and a single- or multi-photon photocuring composition. The invention can be used to provide ceramic-based microstructures as, for example, high temperature resistant materials, including devices such as microcombustors, micro-heat-exchangers, sensor and actuator systems, microfluidic devices, and micro-optics systems that can be used independently or integrated into other systems.

Abstract: A method of increasing the efficiency of a multiphoton absorption process and apparatus. The method includes: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons; exposing the photoreactive composition to at least one transit of light from the light source; and directing at least a portion of the first transit of the light back into the photoreactive composition using at least one optical element, wherein a plurality of photons not absorbed in at least one transit are used to expose the photoreactive composition in a subsequent transit.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating optical elements that are encapsulated in monolithic matrices. The present invention is based, at least in one aspect, upon the concept of using multiphoton, multi-step photocuring to fabricate encapsulated optical element(s) within a body of a photopolymerizable composition. Imagewise, multi-photon polymerization techniques are used to form the optical element. The body surrounding the optical element is also photohardened by blanket irradiation and/or thermal curing to help form an encapsulating structure. In addition, the composition also incorporates one or more other, non-diffusing binder components that may be thermosetting or thermoplastic. The end result is an encapsulated structure with good hardness, durability, dimensional stability, resilience, and toughness.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating optical elements that are encapsulated in monolithic matrices. The present invention is based, at least in one aspect, upon the concept of using multiphoton, multi-step photocuring to fabricate encapsulated optical element(s) within a body of a photopolymerizable composition. Imagewise, multi-photon polymerization techniques are used to form the optical element. The body surrounding the optical element is also photohardened by blanket irradiation and/or thermal curing to help form an encapsulating structure. In addition, the composition also incorporates one or more other, non-diffusing binder components that may be thermosetting or thermoplastic. The end result is an encapsulated structure with good hardness, durability, dimensional stability, resilience, and toughness.

Abstract: A method of multiphoton photosensitizing a photoreactive composition comprises irradiating the composition with light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light. The composition comprises: (a) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing such reaction; and (b) at least one multi-component, multiphoton photoinitiator system.