Abstract:
A method for generating a surface profile of a microstructure. The profile is processed to determine positions of at least two edges and an approximate center point of the profiled surface. Segments of points on the determined profile are fit to a straight line centered at the approximate center point. A standard deviation of the fitted points is measured. The length and position of the segment are varied until a minimum standard deviation is determined and the process is repeated for segments having different lengths. The point is determined from the longest segment having a standard deviation approximately equal to the minimum standard deviation of all of the segment lengths.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing nanometer-scale apertures, wherein, in an object, in a conventional manner, at least one aperture is provided with a nanometer-scale surface area, after which, by means of an electron beam, energy is supplied to at least the edge of said at least one aperture, such that the surface area of the respective aperture is adjusted, wherein the surface area of the aperture is controlled during adjustment and the supply of energy is regulated on the basis of the surface area change.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dry etching pure Cu and Cu-containing layers (220, 310) for manufacturing integrated circuits. The invention uses a directional beam of O-atoms with high kinetic energy (340) to oxidize the Cu and Cu-containing layers, and etching reagents (370) that react with the oxidized Cu (360) to form volatile Cu-containing etch products (390). The invention allows for low-temperature, anisotropic etching of pure Cu and Cu-containing layers in accordance with a patterned hard mask or photoresist (230, 330).
Abstract:
A nanomachining method for producing high-aspect ratio precise nanostructures. The method begins by irradiating a wafer with an energetic charged-particle beam. Next, a layer of patterning material is deposited on one side of the wafer and a layer of etch stop or metal plating base is coated on the other side of the wafer. A desired pattern is generated in the patterning material on the top surface of the irradiated wafer using conventional electron-beam lithography techniques. Lastly, the wafer is placed in an appropriate chemical solution that produces a directional etch of the wafer only in the area from which the resist has been removed by the patterning process. The high mechanical strength of the wafer materials compared to the organic resists used in conventional lithography techniques with allows the transfer of the precise patterns into structures with aspect ratios much larger than those previously achievable.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing a three-dimensional structure having a fine three-dimensional shape and a smooth surface is disclosed in which the three-dimensional structure is usable for an optical device. The process method comprises the steps of depositing a thin layer for absorption of laser light on a flat substrate; depositing a transparent layer on the thin layer for absorption of laser light; and irradiating a process laser light, passing through the transparent layer; in which pulse injection energy of the process laser light is set to be the same as or smaller than the maximum pulse injection energy capable of exposing a surface of the thin layer in front in the incident direction of the process laser light, and to be set the same as or greater than the minimum pulse injection energy capable of removing the transparent layer in rear in the incident direction of the process laser light.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing a three-dimensional structure having a fine three-dimensional shape and a smooth surface is disclosed in which the three-dimensional structure is usable for an optical device. The process method comprises the steps of depositing a thin layer for absorption of laser light on a flat substrate; depositing a transparent layer on the thin layer for absorption of laser light; and irradiating a process laser light, passing through the transparent layer; in which pulse injection energy of the process laser light is set to be the same as or smaller than the maximum pulse injection energy capable of exposing a surface of the thin layer in front in the incident direction of the process laser light, and to be set the same as or greater than the minimum pulse injection energy capable of removing the transparent layer in rear in the incident direction of the process laser light.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for processing a three-dimensional structure having a fine three-dimensional shape and a smooth surface is disclosed in which the three-dimensional structure is usable for an optical device. The process method comprises the steps of depositing a thin layer for absorption of laser light on a flat substrate; depositing a transparent layer on the thin layer for absorption of laser light; and irradiating a process laser light, passing through the transparent layer; in which pulse injection energy of the process laser light is set to be the same as or smaller than the maximum pulse injection energy capable of exposing a surface of the thin layer in front in the incident direction of the process laser light, and to be set the same as or greater than the minimum pulse injection energy capable of removing the transparent layer in rear in the incident direction of the process laser light.
Abstract:
A solid state structure having a surface is provided and is exposed to a flux, F, of incident ions. The conditions of this incident ion exposure are selected based on: 1 null null t null C null ( r , t ) = F null null null Y 1 + D null null 2 null C - C null trap - F null null null C null null null null C , where C is concentration of mobile adatoms at structure surface, r is vector surface position, t is time, Y1 is number of adatoms created per incident ion, D is adatom diffusivity, nulltrap is average lifetime of an adatom before adatom annihilation occurs at a structure surface defect characteristic of solid state structure material, and nullCis cross-section for adatom annihilation by incident ions characteristic of selected ion exposure conditions. Ion exposure condition selection controls sputtering of the structure surface by incident ions to transport, within the structure including the structure surface, material of the structure to a feature location, in response to the ion flux exposure, to produce a feature substantially by locally adding material of the structure to the feature location.
Abstract:
A method for releasing a structure from contact with a substrate in a micromechanical device includes the step of irradiating the structure with energy having parameters selected to produce a thermal gradient normal to the surface of the structure which causes upward bowing and release of the structure from the substrate. Preferably, the structure is irradiated with laser energy and, more preferably, the structure is irradiated with pulsed laser energy. The temperature gradient creates a strain gradient, due to thermal expansion, which causes the structure to bow upwardly. Support elements react and hold the structure up after the thermal gradient has disappeared.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical device (MEMD) defined within a substrate of a MEMS includes a mass element defining an area of interest. The device also includes a support beam supporting the mass element in spaced-apart relationship from the substrate. The support beam includes a first beam member defined by a first fixed end connected to the substrate, and a first free end connected to the mass element. The support beam further includes a second beam member defined by a second fixed end connected to the substrate, and a second free end connected to the mass element. The beam members are in spaced-apart relationship from one another. A first cross member connects the first beam member and the second beam member. Preferably, the support beam includes a plurality of cross members. Two such support beams can be used to support a mass element in a MEMD in a bridge configuration.