A simple model of multiphoton micromachining in silk hydrogels

Abstract

High resolution three-dimensional voids can be directly written into transparent silk fibroin hydrogels using ultrashort pulses of near-infrared (NIR) light. Here, we propose a simple finite-element model that can be used to predict the size and shape of individual features under various exposure conditions. We compare predicted and measured feature volumes for a wide range of parameters and use the model to determine optimum conditions for maximum material removal. The simplicity of the model implies that the mechanism of multiphoton induced void creation in silk is due to direct absorption of light energy rather than diffusion of heat or other photoproducts, and confirms that multiphoton absorption of NIR light in silk is purely a 3-photon process.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jun 13, 2016
Source ID
10.1063/1.4953826

Entities

People

  • Carlo Alonzo
  • David L. Kaplan
  • Fiorenzo G Omenetto
  • Irene Georgakoudi
  • Matthew B. Applegate

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • Tufts University

Tags

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Theoretical Analysis.