Direct laser writing of surface reliefs in dry, self-developing photopolymer films

Fabrication of surface reliefs is achieved by raster scanning dry photopoly mer films under a focused laser beam. The formation of the structure takes place subsequent to illumination without any chemical treatment or wet proc essing. Computer-generated optical elements can be recorded quickly, easily , and at low cost. The technology is particularly well suited for rapid pro totyping and design purposes. These photopolymer films have potential in ph otonics applications, such as diffractive optical elements and waveguide st ructures. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.