Patent ID: 8367307

Claim:
A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a radiation-sensitive material having a first refractive index, a mask having a plurality of substantially radiation transparent apertures, the mask formed from a material having a second refractive index, and a radiation source configured to generate radiation beams for at least one of initiating, polymerizing and crosslinking the radiation-sensitive material; placing the mask between the radiation-sensitive material and the radiation source, the mask abutting the radiation-sensitive material; disposing a refractive fluid having a third refractive index between the radiation source and the mask, wherein the refractive fluid is selected to have one of the third refractive index intermediate the first refractive index and the second refractive index, the third refractive index substantially the same as the first refractive index, and the third refractive index between the refractive index of air and the second refractive index; and exposing the radiation-sensitive materials to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation transparent apertures in the mask, whereby the radiation-cured structure is formed.