Researchers folded glass like origami, creating microscopic 3D photonic structures directly on a chip. Existing 3D printers produce rough 3D structures that aren’t optically uniform and thus can’t be used for high-performance optics, so a tauinternational team mimicked the way a pinecone’s scales bend outward to release seeds. The laser-induced technique triggers precise bending in ultra-thin glass sheets and can be used to create highly transparent, ultra-smooth 3D microphotonic devices for a variety of applications. Find the full release in our Newsroom! #photonics #chips #3D