Scanning Probe Lithography

Scanning Probe Lithography (SPL) describes recent advances in the field of scanning probe lithography, a high resolution patterning technique that uses a sharp tip in close proximity to a sample to pattern nanometer-scale features on the sample. SPL is capable of patterning sub-30nm features with nanometer-scale alignment registration. It is a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable method for patterning nanometer-scale features on various substrates. It has potential applications for nanometer-scale research, for maskless semiconductor lithography, and for photomask patterning. The authors of this book have been key players in this exciting new field. Calvin Quate has been involved since the beginning in the early 1980s and leads the research time that is regarded as the foremost group in this field. Hyongsok Tom Soh and Kathryn Wilder Guarini have been the members of this group who, in the last few years, have brought about remarkable series of advances in SPM lithography. Some of these advances have been in the control of the tip which has allowed the scanning speed to be increased from mum/second to mm/second. Both non-contact and in-contact writing have been demonstrated as has controlled writing of sub-100 nm lines over large steps on the substrate surface. The engineering of a custom-designed MOSFET built into each microcantilever for individual current control is another notable achievement. Micromachined arrays of probes each with individual control have been demonstrated. One of the most intriguing new aspects is the use of directly-grown carbon nanotubes as robust, high-resolution emitters. In this book the authors concisely and authoritatively describe the historical context, the relevant inventions, and the prospects for eventual manufacturing use of this exciting new technology.

The most complete book available on scanning probe lithography (SPL), this work details the modalities, mechanisms, and current technologies, applications, and materials on which SPL can be performed. It provides a comprehensive overview of this simple and cost-effective technique, which does not require clean room conditions and can be performed in any lab or industry facility to achieve high-resolution and high-quality patterns on a wide range of materials: biological, semiconducting, polymers, and 2D materials. • Introduces historical background of SPL, including evolution of the technique and tools • Explains the mechanism of sample modification/manipulation, types of AFM tips, technical parts of the experimental setup, and materials on which the technique can be applied • Shows the different types of devices and structures fabricated by SPL, together with the processing steps • Contains a complete and state-of-the art package of examples and different approaches, performed by different international research groups • Summarizes strengths, limitations, and potential of SPL This book is aimed at advanced students, technicians, and researchers in materials science, microelectronics, and others working with lithographic techniques and fabrication processes.

Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) is the enabling tool for nano(bio)technology, which has opened new vistas in many interdisciplinary research areas. Concomitant with the developments in SPM instrumentation and techniques are new and previously unthought-of opportunities in materials nanofabrication and characterisation. In particular, the developments in addressing and manipulating matter at the level of single atoms or molecules, and studies of biological materials (e.g. live cells, or cell membranes) result in new and exciting discoveries. The rising importance of SPM demands a concise treatment in the form of a book which is accessible to interdisciplinary practitioners. This book highlights recent advances in the field of SPM with sufficient depth and breadth to provide an intellectually stimulating overview of the current state of the art. The book is based on a set of carefully selected original works from renowned contributors on topics that range from atom technology, scanning tunneling spectroscopy of self-assembled nanostructures, SPM probe fabrication, scanning force microscopy applications in biology and materials science down to the single molecule level, novel scanning probe techniques, and nanolithography. The variety of topics underlines the strong interdisciplinary character of SPM related research and the combined expertise of the contributors gives us a unique opportunity to discuss possible future trends in SPM related research. This makes the book not merely a collection of already published material but an enlightening insight into cutting edge research and global SPM research trends.

This book describe how nanoscale resist patterns technology were machined or fabricated on a silicon substrate using a scanning probe microscope (SPM) based on nanolithography (SPNL). The advantage by using this technology is the low cost of nanopatterning device technology can be created, where an atomic force microscope (AFM) is used. Conventional SPNL directly writes nanopatterns using a single probe cantilever.