Quick search Find article
Quick search
Find article

Fabrication of a dense array of tall nanostructures over a large sample area with sidewall profile and tip sharpness control

Chang-Hwan Choi1 and Chang-Jin Kim

Show affiliations


We report a simple but efficient nanofabrication method to create a dense (nanoscale pitch) array of silicon nanostructures (post and grate) of varying height and shape over a large sample area. By coupling interference lithography with deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) in one process flow, we achieved silicon nanostructures of excellent regularity, currently with a pitch (i.e., period) of 230 nm, and uniform coverage, currently over 2 × 2 cm2. The new nanofabrication practice of coupling interference lithography with DRIE not only simplified the nanofabrication process but also produced high-aspect-ratio (higher than 10) nanostructures. By regulating etching parameters, the nanoscopic scalloping problem typical in Bosch DRIE was not only controlled but also utilized to realize sophisticated sidewall profiles, such as tips with a pointed or a re-entrant profile. We showed the tips could be further sharpened by thermal oxidation and subsequent removal of the oxide. Well-defined nanostructures over a large area with controllable sidewall profiles and tip shapes open new application possibilities in areas beyond nanoelectronics, such as microfluidics and tissue engineering.


PACS

81.16.-c Methods of nanofabrication and processing

85.35.-p Nanoelectronic devices

81.65.Cf Surface cleaning, etching, patterning

61.46.-w Structure of nanoscale materials

Subjects

Electronics and devices

Surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Nanoscale science and low-D systems

Dates

Issue 21 (14 November 2006)

Received 5 August 2006, in final form 18 September 2006

Published 6 October 2006



View by subject




Export








Please login to access our web services, or create an account if you don't yet have one.

You must have cookies enabled in your web browser to be able to login.

Username
Password

Forgotten your password? Get a new one here.