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November 14, 2023

Nanoscribe introduces 3D printing by 2GL® for superior quality at unrivaled speed

This stacked freeform lens is 3D printed by Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography 2GL
With its exceptional print quality and incredible speed, 3D printing by 2GL® is breaking new ground and opening up previously inaccessible applications. These high-precision optics developed for a miniature endomicroscope are a perfect example: The stacked freeform lenses are 3D printed by Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography 2GL. The three lenses are supported by a textured scaffold structure avoiding back-reflexes. All three freeform lenses have optical-grade surfaces on the top and bottom, integrating diffractive and refractive elements in one optical system and are printed in one pass. Manufactured by Nanoscribe, lens designed by Printoptix.

Nanoscribe introduces a fundamentally new 3D Microfabrication technology: 3D printing by 2GL®. Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography (2GL) is now setting entirely new standards for 3D nano- and microfabrication. The technology merges the high resolution of Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP) with a unique, patented voxel tuning process to achieve significantly fewer printing layers. This makes 2GL the fastest 2PP-based 3D printing technology with unparalleled shape accuracy and superior print quality. It paves the way for new applications, such as manufacturing even more filigree microoptical systems with significantly higher quality in much shorter print times. This is why 3D grayscale printing is now a new feature for Quantum X align.

Nanoscribe's Quantum X platform, with its patented Two-Photon Grayscale Lithography technology for additive manufacturing of optical-grade 2D and 2.5D microstructures, has become the platform of choice for industrial manufacturing and mastering of microoptics. Now, Nanoscribe takes the voxel tuning technology to the third dimension by introducing 3D printing by 2GL as an essential addition to the Aligned Two-Photon Lithography (A2PL®) features of Quantum X align.

Unmatched precision with
outstanding shape accuracy

The printing process relies on dynamic modulation of laser power in real time while scanning at highest speed. This results in a precise size adjustment of the polymerizing voxel to perfectly match the contours of any 3D shape. 3D printing by 2GL guarantees flawless, optical-grade surfaces and finest, submicron features, without any slicing steps or shape distortion, just the real shape of any 3D print design.

Up to 60 times higher throughput

3D printing by 2GL is the fastest 2PP-based microfabrication technology on the market. Its dynamic voxel tuning requires significantly fewer printing layers to achieve print results with optical-grade, smooth as well as nanostructured surfaces. This translates to a manufacturing speed, unattainable by any 2PP-based 3D printer available. The fastest additive manufacturing technology on the market for 3D nano- and microfabrication delivers 10 to 60 times the throughput of any current 2-photon lithography system when meeting demanding print quality requirements.*

New opportunities for photonic applications

3D printing by 2GL delivers the highest optical-grade quality, finest, submicron features, and previously unimaginable high throughput. Thus, it significantly advances microoptics manufacturing and photonics packaging. Nanoscribe Quantum X align with its Aligned 2-Photon Lithography A2PL® is equipped with this fundamentally new printing technology, supported by the advanced aligner software nanoPrintX.

Quantum X align is optimized for printing microoptical elements with the highest placement accuracy and automatically aligned on optical fibers and photonic chips. With the entirely new level of manufacturing quality and speed, 3D printing by 2GL paves the way for advancing the industrialization of Free Space Micro Optical Coupling (FSMOC) as a highly robust and efficient light coupling solution for photonics packaging and integration.

Pushing the limits of 3D Microfabrication

3D printing by 2GL truly marks a new era for 2PP-based 3D Microfabrication. There are numerous potential use cases for this technology beyond microoptics and photonics, wherever the fastest printing speed, optical-quality surfaces, finest submicron details or textured surfaces are key. Get ready to be impressed by the breathtaking print quality and up to 60 times higher throughput.

 

* Comparison refers to the same print quality and is design-dependent

3D printed Benchy boat split into two parts
3D printed Benchy boat split into two parts. Left part is 3D printed by 2GL. Right part is made with conventional 2PP-based 3D printing. Both parts are printed at exactly the same slicing distance, resulting in identical printing time. However, using 2GL, there are no slicing steps and the real shape of the Benchy boat is revealed, free from any voxel-related distortion.
Speed comparison of a Benchy boat 3D printed by a very competitive 2PP system (left) and by 3D printing by 2GL (right).
Speed comparison of a Benchy boat 3D printed with a very competitive 2PP system (left) and with 3D printing by 2GL (right). To obtain the highest possible print quality, the slicing distance of the 2PP printed boat is set to 0.1 µm (“Fine”). In contrast, the same object is 3D printed by 2GL (“Grayscale”) with a significantly coarser slicing of 1 µm, resulting in a print time reduced by a factor of 10.
This microscope image showcases the microendoscope lens, perfectly aligned on the facet of an optical fiber and 3D printed by 2GL
This microscope image showcases the microendoscope lens, perfectly aligned on the facet of an optical fiber and 3D printed by 2GL. The optical brilliance exhibited by the top lens is an indication of the exceptional print quality. Manufacturing by Nanoscribe, lens design by Printoptix.
Close-up of the stacked lens system, showing the freeform top lens and the central hybrid lens with its diffractive element
Close-up of the stacked lens system, showing the freeform top lens and the central hybrid lens with its diffractive element. 3D printing by 2GL enables printing of optically smooth surfaces without any slicing steps and with sharp edges as required for the diffractive element. Manufacturing by Nanoscribe, lens design by Printoptix.
Close-up of the middle part of the stacked lens system
Close-up of the middle part of the stacked lens system. Freeform lenses can be printed upright or as a hanging feature in one pass without any slicing steps. 3D printing by 2GL allows simultaneous manufacturing of textured surfaces with intricate features alongside the lenses. Manufacturing by Nanoscribe, lens design by Printoptix.
Our Quantum X align system with its revolutionary technology 3D printing by 2GL® and equipped for Aligned Two-Photon Lithography
The revolutionary technology 3D printing by 2GL® is the perfect companion for the Aligned Two-Photon Lithography system QuantumX align.
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