Micro additive manufacturing using ultra short laser pulses

Ultra short, i.e. femto- and picosecond laser pulses, give new possibilities for additive manufacturing at micro- or nanometre length scales. This keynote paper focuses on two processes, viz Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) and two-photon polymerization (2PP). LIFT offers opportunity to transfer a large variety of materials and the resolution of 3D structures made with 2PP is unparalleled. Both processes have an enormous flexibility due to the possibility of Direct Laser Writing (DLW). Attention is provided to modelling and monitoring of these processes. Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) and hybrid micro stereo lithography are alternative methods and are briefly described.