Simulation Model for Direct Laser Writing of Metallic Microstructures Composed of Silver Nanoparticles

Three-dimensional metallic microstructures find applications as stents in medicine, ultrabroadband antennas communications, micromechanical parts, or structures of more fundamental interest photonics like metamaterials. Direct metal printing such using three-dimensional (3D) laser lithography is a promising approach, which enables the fabrication 3D with sub-micron-sized features. Yet, this technique not extensively applied, speed, surface quality, and stability resulting are limited so far. To identify limiting factors, we investigate influence light–particle interactions varying scanning speed on heat generation particle deposition direct writing silver. We introduce theoretical model captures diffusion particles well fluid dynamics photoresist. Chemical reactions excluded from model, but production calibrated experimental data. that optical forces generally surmount those due to convection Simulations predict overheating photoresist at powers similar found experiments. The thermal sensitivity system essentially determined by largest present focus. Our results suggest improve nanoparticle achieve higher speeds writing, strong trapping emerging desirable. Furthermore, precise control size reduces risk spontaneous overheating.