Multilayer e-beam lithography on nonconducting substrates
First Claim
1. A method of producing multiple patterns on a non-conductive substrate to form a patterned substrate, comprising:
- patterning a surface of the non-conductive substrate with an e-beam, including affixing a first conductive layer of e-beam resist to the surface and patterning with an e-beam to produce a first patterned conductive layer defining patterned areas between the first patterned conductive layer;
providing at least one fiduciary mark with the first patterned conductive layer;
removing a portion of the non-conductive substrate from the patterned areas of the patterned substrate to form a first pattern on the non-conductive substrate;
protecting the fiduciary mark to produce a protected portion over the fiduciary mark;
removing the first conductive layer, wherein the fiduciary mark of the first conductive layer is protected from removal;
detaching the protected portion from the first conductive layer to expose the fiduciary mark;
affixing a second conductive layer to the first pattern on the non-conductive substrate;
registering the non-conductive substrate for patterning utilizing the fiduciary mark;
patterning the surface of the non-conductive substrate with an e-beam, including affixing a second conductive layer of e-beam resist to the surface and patterning with the e-beam to produce a second patterned conductive layer defining second patterned areas between the second patterned conductive layer;
removing a second portion of the non-conductive substrate from the second patterned areas of the patterned substrate; and
removing the second conductive layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique is described which provides for directly placing multiple patterns on a nonconducting substrate using an electron beam. Prior to patterning, a conductive coating is applied to the nonconductive substrate. The patterns are generated by controlling the position and the speed of movement of the electron beam. Each pattern contains fiducials lying outside of the pattern'"'"'s active region. After a conductive layer has been exposed, the patterned regions are removed, typically through etching. A separate etch is used to etch the pattern into substrate. The unpatterned portions of the conductive coating are then removed and a new conductive coating is applied to the substrate, insuring that the fiducials are protected during the removal procedure so that they can be used to align subsequent patterns. This procedure is repeated as many times as necessary to form the desired number of patterns in the substrate. This procedure is directly applicable to the generation of computer-generated holograms, specifically diffractive optics. This technique can also be used to generate phase-shifted lithographic mask.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of producing multiple patterns on a non-conductive substrate to form a patterned substrate, comprising:
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patterning a surface of the non-conductive substrate with an e-beam, including affixing a first conductive layer of e-beam resist to the surface and patterning with an e-beam to produce a first patterned conductive layer defining patterned areas between the first patterned conductive layer; providing at least one fiduciary mark with the first patterned conductive layer; removing a portion of the non-conductive substrate from the patterned areas of the patterned substrate to form a first pattern on the non-conductive substrate; protecting the fiduciary mark to produce a protected portion over the fiduciary mark; removing the first conductive layer, wherein the fiduciary mark of the first conductive layer is protected from removal; detaching the protected portion from the first conductive layer to expose the fiduciary mark; affixing a second conductive layer to the first pattern on the non-conductive substrate; registering the non-conductive substrate for patterning utilizing the fiduciary mark; patterning the surface of the non-conductive substrate with an e-beam, including affixing a second conductive layer of e-beam resist to the surface and patterning with the e-beam to produce a second patterned conductive layer defining second patterned areas between the second patterned conductive layer; removing a second portion of the non-conductive substrate from the second patterned areas of the patterned substrate; and removing the second conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification