Using Light To Fabricate Photonic Devices

A developmental apparatus and process for the fabrication of photonic devices utilize intense, focused laser light projected and/or diffracted in controlled patterns. The apparatus and process can be used in a microgravitational environment to form microscopic three-dimensional device structures (e.g., filters or other periodic structures with characteristic dimensions of the order of a wavelength of light). The apparatus and process could also be used on Earth to fabricate devices with two-dimensional structures.