Multi-beam interference: three-dimensional bicontinuous periodic structures

Abstract

Bicontinuous microstructures are an important subset of three-dimensional periodic-lattice-based microstructures. Bicontinuity occurs when the constituent materials are interconnected in all three dimensions throughout the structure. Bicontinuous structures have been employed for tissue regrowth, high capacity electrodes, drug delivery, etc., Multi-Beam Interference Lithography (MBIL) has been shown to be a rapid and efficient way to fabricate these structures. However, the detailed characterization of the resulting structures in terms of their bicontinuity is still lacking. The research in this thesis aims at quantifying the bicontinuity range and the associated volumes and surface areas of certain MBIL-produced structures, thereby enabling the identification and fabrication of promising prototype structures.