Laser-assisted additive manufacture of advanced photonic components in optical fibres

Résumé

The proposed experimental PhD position is part of the context of so-called additive manufacturing (AM, or commonly “3D printing”) of components for photonics [1-4]. We are targeting laser-assisted additive manufacturing of “optical functions” in silica glass preforms and optical fibers.  The AM technique is based on multi-photon polymerization (MPP) of polymer resins loaded with oxide particles in glassy objects. The originality of the approach chosen at INPHYNI lies in the AM configuration, and the integration of this step in the manufacturing of preforms using a technique well mastered at INPHYNI.

We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry or physico-chemistry, preferably with an experience in the field of synthesis and characterization of materials for optics.

Keywords

       Specialty optical fibres, materials for photonics, additive manufacture, 3D printing.

Presentation :

The proposed experimental PhD position is part of the context of so-called additive manufacturing (AM, or commonly “3D printing”) of components for photonics [1-4]. We are targeting laser-assisted additive manufacturing of “optical functions” in silica glass preforms. These will then be stretched into optical fibers. An AM technique, based on multi-photon polymerization (MPP) of polymer resins loaded with oxide particles in glassy objects is implemented in the laboratory. The originality of the approach chosen at INPHYNI lies in the AM configuration, and the integration of this step in the manufacturing of preforms using a technique well mastered at INPHYNI. The new technique will make it possible to manufacture complex structures integrated into optical fibers, with three-dimensional control of compositions and shapes. The proposed thesis aims to define the experimental conditions necessary to produce glass objects on the silica substrate for manufacturing the preforms, and to study the parameters necessary to obtain “functions” in the final optical fibers. The main work is experimental, oriented towards the synthesis and transformation of materials using MPP and a standard method of manufacturing silica optical fibers, adapted for AM.

The areas of application envisaged for the new fibers containing printed components are numerous: energy, environment, health, aeronautics, machining, marking, communications, security, defense, agri-food, etc. The targeted academic collaborations are very numerous, from the local scale (various teams within INPHYNI, institutes at Université Côte d’Azur) to the regional scale (networks of the SCS and SAFE clusters) and at the national scale (GIS GRIFON/CNRS network [5], INRAE) as well as international. Industrial collaborations could be initiated based on the work obtained during this thesis.

Context

The experimental PhD will be carried out in collaboration between two INPHYNI teams, and with two external institutes (IRCER in Limoges and ICMCB in Bordeaux) within the framework of an ANR “COP3D” contract [6]. The COP3D project aims to demonstrate the principle of optical fibers with innovative paramagnetic or photochromic or non-linear properties provided by AM. Further details will be given in private communication.

The necessary equipment is available at INPHYNI, thanks to support from PIA3 in the “Add4P” project [7]) and the SUD Region. In this context, INPHYNI aims to develop additive manufacturing for photonics, and particularly in optical fibers.

Method

• test the printing of objects in photopolymerizable resins, and resins loaded with silica nanoparticles under laser. The resins will be provided by COP3D collaborators.
• develop and improve the process of decarbonizing of the printed objects, and their densification into glass objects.
• characterize the synthesized materials (composition, structure, optical properties)
• produce optical components, chosen as demonstrators.

Expected results

• Sets of chemical, physicochemical and optical parameters to make good quality objects.
• Prof of concept of the fabrication method.

Bibliographic references :

[1] F. Kotz, P. Risch, K. Arnold, S. Sevim, J. Puigmartí-Luis, A. Quick, M. Thiel, A. Hrynevich, P. D. Dalton, D. Helmer, and B. E. Rapp, « Fabrication of arbitrary three-dimensional suspended hollow microstructures in transparent fused silica glass, » Nat Commun 10, 1439 (2019).

[2] Y. Chu, X. Fu, Y. Luo, J. Canning, Y. Tian, K. Cook, J. Zhang, and G.-D. Peng, « Silica optical fiber drawn from 3D printed preforms, » Opt. Lett., 44, 5358–5361 (2019).

[3] R. Dylla-Spears et al., “3D printed gradient index glass optics”, Science Advances 6 (2020) eabc7429

[4] T. Doualle, J.-C. André, & L. Gallais, « 3D printing of silica glass through a multiphoton polymerization process, » Opt. Lett. 46, 364-367 (2021)

[5] Groupement d’Intérêt Scientifique GRIFON. https://grifon.xlim.fr/

[6] COP3D : « Complex and composite OPtical glass preforms and fibers processed by 3D printing for photonic applications », ANR-23-CE51-0014-03

[7] Add4P « Additive manufacturing of glasses and components for Photonics », Plan d’Investissement d’Avenir 3, programme Equipex+, ANR-21-ESRE-0007.

Required profile :

This PhD proposal mainly concerns the physicochemical and engineering aspects of the photopolymerization of polymer resins loaded with glass or crystalline particles. The work will include updating the bibliography on the subject, characterizing materials during the various stages of synthesis and transformation into optical fiber. Digital simulation of the printing steps is considered.

The candidate will have a Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry or physico-chemistry, and will have completed an experimental Master’s (or equivalent) project, preferably in the field of synthesis and characterization of materials for optics. Training and experience in synthesis using multi-photon laser writing is an advantage. Experience in multiphysics numerical simulations will be highly appreciated. Likewise, experience or a marked curiosity towards the other disciplines involved in this project, in particular photonics, will be a plus. Finally, we are looking for an autonomous, rigorous, curious and communicative personality, having good communication skills both written and oral. Knowledge of French is not required. A B2 level in English is required.

Duration : 3 years.

Gross salary : 2135 €. Funding provided by the ANR (National Research Agency), on the COP3D project (https://anr.fr/Projet-ANR-23-CE51-0014).

Submit your application :

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR7010-BERDUS-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN

Contacts :

Bernard DUSSARDIER :

Matthieu BELLEC :

Institute :

Institut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI), 17 rue Julien Lauprêtre, 06200 Nice

Website : https://inphyni.univ-cotedazur.fr/

Formation demandée

The candidate will have a Master's degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry or physico-chemistry. Finally, we are looking for an autonomous, rigorous, curious and communicative personality, having good communication skills both written and oral. Knowledge of French is not required. B2 level in English is required.

Expérience demandée

An experimental Master's (or equivalent) project, preferably in the field of synthesis and characterization of materials for optics. Training and experience in synthesis using multi-photon laser writing is an advantage. Experience in multiphysics numerical simulations will be highly appreciated. Likewise, experience or a marked curiosity towards the other disciplines involved in this project, in particular photonics, will be a plus.