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Nanoimprint lithography

  • US 5,772,905 A
  • Filed: 11/15/1995
  • Issued: 06/30/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A lithographic method for forming a pattern in a film carried on a substrate, comprising the steps of:

  • obtaining a substrate;

    depositing a film on the substrate;

    obtaining a mold of a stiff material which is hard relative to the film, the mold having a first protruding feature and a recess formed thereby and a second protruding feature spaced apart prom the first protruding feature, the first and second features and the recess having a shape forming a mold pattern and providing at least one mold pattern lateral dimension which is less than 200 nm;

    urging the mold at a molding pressure into the film whereby the thickness of the film under the protruding feature is reduced and a thin region is formed in the film, wherein the molding pressure is sufficiently high to transfer the mold pattern to the film and the molding pressure causes a local deformation in the mold which is less than the mold pattern lateral dimension;

    removing the mold from the film;

    processing the relief whereby the thin region is removed exposing portions of the surface of the substrate which underlie the thin region; and

    whereby the exposed portions of the surface of the substrate substantially replicate the mold pattern and have at least one lateral dimension which is less than 200 nm.

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