This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by the University of Ottawa (the “University”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for a High Resolution Two Photon Polimerization Printer, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund, as further described in Appendix D (RFP Particulars) Section A (the “Deliverables”).
The requested equipment is a high resolution 3D printing system based on two-photon polimerization (2PP) or two-photon lithography (2PL) technology. These technologies are extensively used in the research and development of materials, devices, and prototypes in the field of thin film science and engineering. The proposed equipment aligns well with the research objectives in Center for Hybrid Interfaces and Intelligent Thin-Films (HIIT). By leveraging its world-class expertise and advanced infrastructure, HIIT aims to expedite the transition from material development to prototype production, with emphasis on tailoring and processing hybrid, advanced thin films and their interfaces.
Two-photon polymerization (2PP) micro and nano 3D printing is a highly advanced and precise method of 2D/3D manufacturing technology that utilizes the unique properties of focused laser light and photoresistors to create complex, high-resolution structures at micro/nanoscale. Distinguished from conventional layered-structure, 2PP process is able to fabricate device with extremely fine feature (less than 200 nm) surpassing the capabilities of traditional printing method. This assists in advancing research in HIIT by exploring micro-structures and devices that would otherwise be challenging to fabricate reliably and efficiently using alternative methods.
- Material: Generally, light-sensitive polymers, which changes its phase from liquid to solid phases upon exposure to light. Polymer molecules initiate a polymerization reaction that links monomer molecules into a polymer chain.
- Light system: Two photon polymerization (2PP) uses a highly focused, ultrafast pulsed laser ebabling emitting short pulse (picosecond/femto-second range) to achieve polymerization where light is absorbed by the material. The light is well focused onto a small spot within the volume of the polymer material where two photons are absorbed simultaneously. This focused light induces high enough energy needed to initiate the polymerziation reaction. In the polymer bath, unfocused area does not show any polymerization reaction where liquid phase stays owing to the energy difficiency. This enalbes extremely precise polymerization reaction at a high-resolution manner to creaste a complicated structure at the nanoscale.
- Process type: 2PP process is defined as layer-by-layer fomration. By manipulating light source both by moving light itself or by steering the beam route by mirrors, the desired (CAD-file) is fabricated.
- Applications: Owing the high-resolution and precision of fabricated objects, 2PP has been used in the field of microfluidics, biomedical, photonic, micro-electromechnical system (MEMS), and optical devices.
Mandatory Technical Specifications Requirements:
1.0 - High Resolution Two Photon Polimerization Printer
1.1 - Full-width-half-maximum of Laser wavelength must be less than 35 nm.
1.2 - Light (Laser) source power must be higher than 100 mW
1.3 - The beam positioning precision must be better than 0.5 µm
1.4 - Laser pulse must be shorter than 1 ps.
1.5 - The system must have a dynamic adjustment mechanism to allow modulation rates below 5 MHz for the laser power.
1.6 - In both 2.5 and 3D fabrication, the system must control the feature size to less than 150 nm in all directions.
1.7 - The system must have precision stitching capability with automated alignment and dynamic laser tuning for seamless, large-scale microfabrication.
1.8 - The system must include automated interface finder with substrate detection range of less than 60 nm.
1.9 - The maximum dimension of fabricated object must be larger than 30mm × 30 mm × 10 mm.
1.10 - The system must include dust-proof enclosure.
2.0 - Software and Computer
2.1 - Process software must be available directly from supplier.
2.2 - Software must be compatible with Windows or MacOs.
2.3 - Software must be capable of loading a 3D design file.
2.4 - Software must be capable of handling a large design file (up to 100 MB)
2.5 - A computer with design and processing software must be provided.
3.0Warranty, Installation, and Training
3.1 - Proponent must include environmental mitigation measures for temperature, humidity, EMI, vibration.
3.2 - Submission must include all costs for installation (including but not limited to: pump and gas regulators), environmental mitigation measures, shipping, handling, commissioning and training.
3.3 - Proponent must include 1 year warranty covering but not limited to: emergency service, replacement parts, and travel, application support, training, and preventive service.
4.0 - References
4.1Must provide customer references for installed equipment of same model/series in (Please refer to Appendix E – Reference Consent Form).
