Micro-fabrication by laser radiation forces: a direct route to reversible free-standing three-dimensional structures.

The origins and first demonstration of structurally stable solids formed by use of radiation forces are presented. By experimentally proving that radiation forces can indeed produce stable solid material forms, a novel method enabling two- and three-dimensional (2d and 3d) microfabrication is introduced: An optical, non-contact single-step physical operation, reversible with respect to materials nature, based on the sole use of radiation forces. The present innovation is elucidated by the formation of polyisoprene and polybutadiene micro-solids, as well as plasmonic and fluorescent hybrids, respectively comprising Au nanoparticles and CdS quantum dots, together with novel concepts of polymeric fiber-drawing by radiation forces.