• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2015

The demand for high-aspect-ratio structures has been increasing in the field of semiconductors and other applications. Here, we present the commercially available negative-tone SU-8 as a potential resist that can be used for direct patterning of high-aspect-ratio structures at the submicron scale and the nanoscale. Such resist patterns can be used as polymeric molds to create high-aspect-ratio metallic submicron and nanoscale structures by using electroplating. Compared with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), we found that the negative tone resist required an exposure dose that was less than that of PMMA of equal thickness by a factor of 100-150. Patterning of up to 4:1 aspect ratio SU-8 structures with a minimum feature size of 500 nm was demonstrated. In addition, nanoimprint lithography was studied to further extend the aspect ratio to realize a minimum feature size of less than 10 nm with an extremely high aspect ratio in the negative resist.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.40-43
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• 2004

Stamps for microcontact processing are fabricated by casting elastomer such as PDMS on a master with a negative of the desired pattern. After curing, the PDMS stamp is peeled away from the master and exposed to a solution of ink and then dried. Transfer of the ink from the PDMS stamp to the substrate occurs during a brief contact between stamp and substrate. Generally, negative-tone masters, which are used for making positive-tone PDMS stamps, are fabricated by using photolithographic technique. The shortcomings of photolithography are a relative high-cost process and require extensive processing time and heavy capital investment to build and maintain the fabrication facilities. The goal of this study is to fabricate a negative-tone master by using Nano-indenter based patterning technique. Various sizes of V-grooves and U-groove were fabricated by using the combination of nanoscratch and HF isotropic etching technique. An achieved negative-tone structure was used as a master in the PDMS replica molding process to fabricate a positive-tone PDMS stamp.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2007

Magnetic excitation and reversal by a spin polarized current via spin transfer have been a central research topic in spintronics due to its application potential. Special techniques are required to fabricate nano-scale magnetic layers in which the effect can be observed and studied. This work discusses the possibility of using electron-beam resists, the nano-scale patterning media, as ion milling mask in a subtractive fabrication method. The possibility is demonstrated by two resists, one positive tone, the ZEP 520A, and one negative tone, the ma-N2403. The advantage and the key points for success of this process will be also addressed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.291-291
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• 2010

Electron-beam lithography (EBL) process is a versatile tool for a fabrication of nanostructures, nano-gap electrodes or molecular arrays and its application to nano-device. However, it is not appropriate for the fabrication of sub-5 nm features and high-aspect-ratio nanostructures due to the limitation of EBL resolution. In this study, the precision assembly and alignment of DNA molecule was demonstrated using sub-5 nm nanostructures formed by a combination of conventional electron-beam lithography (EBL) and plasma ashing processes. The ma-N2401 (EBL-negative tone resist) nanostructures were patterned by EBL process at a dose of $200\;{\mu}C/cm2$ with 25 kV and then were ashed by a chemical dry etcher at microwave (${\mu}W$) power of 50 W. We confirmed that this method was useful for sub-5 nm patterning of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures. In addition, we also utilized the surface-patterning technique to create the molecular pattern comprised 3-(aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APS) as adhesion layer and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) as passivation layer. DNA-templated gold nanoparticle chain was attached only on the sub-5 nm APS region defined by the amine groups, but not on surface of the OTS region. We were able to obtain DNA molecules aligned selectively on a SiO2/Si substrate using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.12 no.4 s.37
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• pp.275-280
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• 2005

We propose a new approach to greatly simplify the fabrication of conventional nanoimprint lithography (NIL) by combined nanoimprint and photolithography (CNP). We introduce a hybrid mask mold (HMM) made from UV transparent material with a UV-blocking Cr metal layer placed on top of the mold protrusions. We used a negative tone photo resist (PR) with higher selectivity to substrate the CNP process instead of the UV curable monomer and thermal plastic polymer that has been commonly used in NIL. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on HMM plays a reliable role for pattern transfer when the HMM is separated from the transfer layer. Hydrophilic $SiO_2$ thin film was deposited on all parts of the HMM, which improved the formation of SAM. This $SiO_2$ film made a sub-10nm formation without any pattern damage. In the CNP technique with HMM, the 'residual layer' of the PR was chemically removed by the conventional developing process. Thus, it was possible to simplify the process by eliminating the dry etching process, which was essential in the conventional NIL method.