Ultrafast laser nanostructuring of photopolymers: A decade of advances

Research into the three-dimensional nanostructuring of photopolymers by ultrashort laser pulses has seen immense growth over the last decade. In this paper, we review the basic principles and the most important developments and applications of this technology. We discuss the mechanisms the linear and nonlinear light absorption at tight focusing conditions, and we present some typical laser writing conditions with numerical examples. The photochemistry of traditional and novel photopolymers together with strategies for their photosensitization for laser structuring by ultra-short pulses are discussed. We also discuss current and potential future applications in diverse fields such as metamaterials, plasmonics, micro-optics, and biomedical devices and implants.