Three-dimensional polymer nanostructures for applications in cell biology generated by high-repetition rate sub-15 fs near-infrared laser pulses

Martin Licht; Martin Straub; Karsten König; Maziar Afshar; Dara Feili; Helmut Seidel

doi:10.1117/12.873581

11 February 2011 Three-dimensional polymer nanostructures for applications in cell biology generated by high-repetition rate sub-15 fs near-infrared laser pulses

Martin Licht, Martin Straub, Karsten König, Maziar Afshar, Dara Feili, Helmut Seidel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7908, Nanoscale Imaging, Sensing, and Actuation for Biomedical Applications VIII; 79080M (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873581
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

In recent years two-photon photopolymerization has emerged as a novel and extremely powerful technique of three-dimensional nanostructure formation. Complex-shaped structures can be generated using appropriate beam steering or nanopositioning systems. Here, we report on the fabrication of three-dimensional arrangements made of biocompatible polymer material, which can be used as templates for cell growth. Using three-dimensional cell cages as cell culture substrates is advantageous, as cells may develop in a more natural environment as compared to conventional planar growth methods. The two-photon fabrication experiments were carried out on a commercial microscope setup. Sub-15 fs pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser light (centre wavelength 800 nm, bandwidth 120 nm, repetition rate 85 MHz) was focused into the polymer material by a high-numerical aperture oil immersion objective. Due to the high peak intensities picojoule pulse energies in the focal spot are sufficient to polymerize the material at sub-100 nm structural element dimensions. Therefore, cell cages of sophisticated architecture can be constructed involving very fine features which take into account the specific needs of various types of cells. Ultimately, our research aims at three-dimensional assemblies of photopolymerized structural elements involving sub-100 nm features, which provide cell culture substrates far superior to those currently existing.

Citation Download Citation

Martin Licht, Martin Straub, Karsten König, Maziar Afshar, Dara Feili, and Helmut Seidel "Three-dimensional polymer nanostructures for applications in cell biology generated by high-repetition rate sub-15 fs near-infrared laser pulses", Proc. SPIE 7908, Nanoscale Imaging, Sensing, and Actuation for Biomedical Applications VIII, 79080M (11 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873581

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