Two-photon-induced polymerization in a laser gain medium for optical microstructure

Submicrometer-sized objects were fabricated using a femtosecond pulsed laser by a two-photon-induced photopolymerization technique. A laser dye-doped dendrimer was used to limit the photochemical processes and energy transfers during photopolymerization. Active microcavities were obtained which performed laser action without mirrors or an optical setup. The observed laser emission was attributed to the distributed Bragg reflection and to the high gain of the polymeric medium containing the laser dye in a high concentration.