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Two-Photon Microbubble Printing: Asymmetric Assembly for Continuous Laser Writing.
Masaharu Aoyama1, Shogo Nara1, Hiroshi Numata1
1Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, 4-3-16, Jonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata, 992-8510, Japan.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 14, 2025
Summary
Two-photon bubble printing enables continuous nanoparticle assembly for a material-independent direct laser writing platform. This novel technique utilizes microbubble dynamics and Marangoni forces for precise nanoparticle aggregation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Direct laser writing (DLW) is a powerful fabrication technique.
- Existing DLW methods often face material limitations.
- Developing a versatile, material-independent DLW platform is highly desirable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and characterize a novel DLW technique termed "two-photon bubble printing."
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of nanoparticle assembly in this process.
- To demonstrate its capability as a material-independent fabrication platform.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing femtosecond laser irradiation in AgNO3 solutions with target nanoparticles.
- Employing direct observation of the laser focal region to study bubble dynamics.
- Analyzing fluid dynamics driven by Marangoni forces and temperature gradients.
Main Results:
- Consistent observation of a distorted vapor microbubble (≈15 µm) at the laser focus.
- Identification of two-photon reduction of Ag+ ions forming Ag nuclei, initiating photothermal heating.
- Demonstration of asymmetric nanoparticle assembly driven by Marangoni-induced convective flow.
- Successful continuous formation of hierarchical nanoparticle aggregates.
Conclusions:
- Two-photon bubble printing offers a material-independent DLW platform.
- The writing mechanism involves a synergistic interplay of nonlinear photochemistry and fluid dynamics.
- This technique provides essential insights for developing versatile nanoparticle assembly methods.
