Nanoscale spheres may enable low cost 3D structures

Because the nanospheres polystyrene spheres are transparent, they bend and scatter light in predictable ways. The researchers can control the nanolithography by altering the size of the nanosphere, exposure duration and the angle, wavelength and polarisation of light. The approach can also use single or multiple light beams, allowing a range of nanostructure designs to be created. "We are using the nanosphere to shape the pattern of light, which gives us the ability to shape the resulting nanostructure in three dimensions without using the expensive equipment required by conventional techniques," said Dr Chih-Hao Chang, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State. "And it allows us to create 3D structures all at once, without having to make layer after layer of 2D patterns." The team believes the technique could be used to create nanoscale 'inkjet printers' for creating electronic devices, antennas and photonic components.