Photonic systems in 3D printing

Abstract

3D printed photonics is gaining the interest of both researchers in the industry and academia because of the exceptional capabilities that only 3D printing (3DP) technology offers. 3DP opens up new opportunities to create novel photonics-integrated devices. Several kinds of fabrication techniques have emerged thus far; to the best of our knowledge, none of the current fabricating technologies can simultaneously satisfy the size, roughness, and speed requirements. This presents excellent opportunities for the advancement of 3D printing in terms of photonics. Apart from excellent 3D printing technology, gaining access to printable materials and 3D printed photonic devices is also of the utmost significance. Here, we provide a broad overview of the recent advancements in 3D printing technology and the realization of novel, practical photonics technologies in a review article. We also present the recent advancements of 3D printing photonics materials and the opportunities of 3D printing photonics applications. The review is focused on recent advancements in technology and materials, and promising application opportunities of 3DP photonics.