U.S. patent application number 14/521375 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for cylindrical polymer mask and method of fabrication.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROLITH, INC.. Invention is credited to Mukti Aryal, Bryant Grigsby, Boris Kobrin, Ian McMackin, Bruce Richardson, Oliver Seitz.
Application Number | 20150336301 14/521375 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54555426 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150336301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobrin; Boris ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
CYLINDRICAL POLYMER MASK AND METHOD OF FABRICATION
Abstract
A cylindrical mask may be fabricated using a hollow casting
cylinder and a mask cylinder. The casting cylinder has an inner
diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the mask
cylinder. The casting and mask cylinders are coaxially assembled
and a liquid polymer inserted in a space surrounding the mask
cylinder between the inner surface of the casting cylinder and the
outer surface of the mask cylinder. After curing the liquid
polymer, the casting cylinder is removed. A surface of the cured
polymer can be patterned. It is emphasized that this abstract is
provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will
allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject
matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims.
Inventors: |
Kobrin; Boris; (Dublin,
CA) ; Seitz; Oliver; (Berkeley, CA) ;
Richardson; Bruce; (Los Gatos, CA) ; McMackin;
Ian; (Pleasanton, CA) ; Aryal; Mukti;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Grigsby; Bryant; (Los Gatos,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROLITH, INC. |
Pleasanton |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54555426 |
Appl. No.: |
14/521375 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2013/038675 |
Apr 29, 2013 |
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14521375 |
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13756348 |
Jan 31, 2013 |
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PCT/US2013/038675 |
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13756370 |
Jan 31, 2013 |
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13756348 |
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61641711 |
May 2, 2012 |
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61641650 |
May 2, 2012 |
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61798629 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/195.1 ;
264/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 35/02 20130101;
G03F 1/72 20130101; B29C 33/424 20130101; B29L 2031/757 20130101;
B29K 2083/00 20130101; B29C 33/3857 20130101; B29C 53/34 20130101;
B29C 39/10 20130101; B29C 39/148 20130101; Y10T 428/24802 20150115;
G03F 7/0002 20130101; B29C 39/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B29C 39/14 20060101
B29C039/14; B29C 39/20 20060101 B29C039/20 |
Claims
1. A rotatable mask made by a method comprising: an axially
symmetric substrate; a compliant layer on an outer surface of the
substrate; and a seamless pattern on an outer surface of the
compliant layer, wherein the rotatable mask is made by a) coaxially
assembling a first casting component inside of a first master mask,
wherein the first master mask includes an inner diameter that is
larger than an outer diameter of the first casting component,
wherein an inner surface of the first master mask includes a
pattern; b) depositing a first polymer precursor liquid in a space
between an outer surface of the first casting component and the
inner surface of the first master mask; c) curing the first polymer
precursor liquid to create a first cured polymer, whereby the outer
surface of the first cured polymer includes a pattern that
corresponds to the pattern of the master mask; d) removing the
first casting component from the first cured polymer; e) removing
the first cured polymer from the first master mask; f) assembling
the first cured polymer inside of a second casting component; g)
coaxially assembling a second casting component inside of the first
cured polymer, wherein the second casting component has an outer
diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the first cured
polymer; h) depositing a second polymer precursor liquid in a space
between an outer surface of the second casting component and an
inner surface of the first cured polymer; i) curing the second
polymer precursor liquid to create a second cured polymer, whereby
the second cured polymer and the first cured polymer together form
a compliant layer for the rotatable mask.
2. A method of making a rotatable mask, the method comprising: a)
depositing a first polymer precursor liquid on a first surface of a
first master mask, wherein the first surface of the first master
mask includes a pattern; b) curing the first polymer precursor
liquid to create a first cured polymer, wherein the first cured
polymer and the first master mask together form a laminate; c)
configuring a first end of the laminate to have a strip of the
first cured polymer missing and a second end of the laminate to
have a strip of the first master mask missing; d) rolling the
laminate inside of a first casting component; e) depositing a
second polymer precursor liquid in a gap of the rolled laminate
that corresponds to the strip of the first cured polymer; f) curing
the second polymer precursor liquid to form a second cured polymer,
whereby the first cured polymer and the second cured polymer
together form a compliant layer for the rotatable mask, whereby the
outer surface of the compliant layer includes a pattern that
corresponds to the pattern of the first master mask.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: g) removing the first
casting component from the laminate after said f).
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: h) removing the first
master mask from the compliant layer after said f).
5. The method of claim 2, wherein said c) includes removing a strip
of the first cured polymer after said b).
6. The method of claim 2, wherein said c) includes leaving a strip
of the first surface of the first master mask exposed when
performing said a).
7. The method of claim 2, wherein said d) includes overlapping said
ends of the laminate.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the first end of the laminate is
opposite to the second end of the laminate.
9. The method of claim 2, further comprising: i) forming the
pattern on the first surface of the first master mask before said
a).
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said forming the pattern on the
first surface of the first master mask includes: imprinting a
substrate with a second master mask having a pattern, the pattern
of the second master mask having a smaller area than the substrate;
successively repeating said imprinting until a desired area of the
substrate is patterned, overlapping part of a previously imprinted
portion of the substrate with each said successive repetition;
wherein said imprinting the substrate with the second master mask
comprises: depositing a third polymer precursor liquid; pressing
the third polymer precursor liquid between the master mask and the
substrate; and curing the third polymer precursor liquid.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein the first casting component is a
sacrificial casting component.
12. The method of claim 3, wherein the first casting component is a
sacrificial casting component, wherein said g) includes fracturing,
dissolving, or deflating the first casting component.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein said d) is performed with a
second surface of the master mask adjacent to an inner surface of
the first casting component.
14. A method of making a rotatable mask, the method comprising: a)
coaxially assembling a first casting component inside of a first
master mask, wherein the first master mask includes an inner
diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the first casting
component, wherein an inner surface of the first master mask
includes a pattern; b) depositing a first polymer precursor liquid
in a space between an outer surface of the first casting component
and the inner surface of the first master mask; c) curing the first
polymer precursor liquid to create a first cured polymer, whereby
the outer surface of the first cured polymer includes a pattern
that corresponds to the pattern of the master mask; d) removing the
first casting component from the first cured polymer; e) removing
the first cured polymer from the first master mask; f) assembling
the first cured polymer inside of a second casting component; g)
coaxially assembling a second casting component inside of the first
cured polymer, wherein the second casting component has an outer
diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the first cured
polymer; h) depositing a second polymer precursor liquid in a space
between an outer surface of the second casting component and an
inner surface of the first cured polymer; i) curing the second
polymer precursor liquid to create a second cured polymer, whereby
the second cured polymer and the first cured polymer together form
a compliant layer for the rotatable mask.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: j) covering the
outer surface of the first cured polymer with a protective layer
before said f).
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second casting component is
a substrate for the rotatable mask.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said casting components are
cylindrically shaped.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: k) patterning the
inner surface of the first master mask before said a), wherein said
k) includes: forming a structured porous layer over the inner
surface of the first master mask, wherein the first master mask is
transparent to optical radiation; filling a plurality of pores in
the structured porous layer with a filling material; removing
portions of the filling material that are not in one of the pores;
and forming a plurality of protrusions from the filling material in
the pores, wherein the protrusions extend beyond the structured
porous layer.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein said d) includes fracturing,
dissolving, or deflating the first casting component.
20. A rotatable mask comprising: an axially symmetric substrate; a
compliant layer on an outer surface of the substrate; and a
seamless pattern on an outer surface of the compliant layer,
wherein the rotatable mask is made by the method of claim 2.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIMS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the
priority benefit of commonly-assigned co-pending International
Application Number PCT/US2013/038675, filed Apr. 29, 2013, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This
application claims the benefit of priority of commonly-assigned,
co-pending U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/798,629
(Attorney Docket No. RO-020-PR), to Boris Kobrin et al., entitled
"CYLINDRICAL POLYMER MASK AND METHOD OF FABRICATION", filed Mar.
15, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0002] International Application Number PCT/US2013/038675 claims
the benefit of priority of commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S.
Provisional application Ser. No. 61/641,711 (Attorney Docket No.
RO-013-PR), to Boris Kobrin et al., entitled "SEAMLESS MASK AND
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING", filed May 2, 2012, the entire disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0003] International Application Number PCT/US2013/038675 claims
the benefit of priority of commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S.
Provisional application Ser. No. 61/641,650 (Attorney Docket No.
RO-014-PR), to Boris Kobrin et al., entitled "LARGE AREA MASKS AND
METHODS OF MANUFACTURING", filed May 2, 2012, the entire disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0004] International Application Number PCT/US2013/038675 claims
the benefit of priority of commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S.
Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/756,348 (Attorney Docket
No. RO-018-US), to Boris Kobrin et al., entitled "CYLINDRICAL
MASTER MOLD AND METHOD OF FABRICATION", filed Jan. 31, 2013, the
entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0005] International Application Number PCT/US2013/038675 claims
the benefit of priority of commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S.
Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/756,370 (Attorney Docket
No. RO-019-US), to Boris Kobrin et al., entitled "CYLINDRICAL
PATTERNED COMPONENT FOR CASTING CYLINDRICAL MASKS", filed Jan. 31,
2013, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0006] This application is also related to commonly-assigned
International Patent Application Publication Number WO2009094009,
the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference,
and U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,982, the entire disclosure of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The present disclosure is related to lithography methods.
More specifically, aspects of the present disclosure are related to
rotatable masks, including cylindrical polymer masks and methods of
fabrication thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0008] Photolithography fabrication methods have use in a wide
variety of technological applications, including micro-scale and
nano-scale fabrication of solar cells, LEDs, integrated circuits,
MEMs devices, architectural glass, information displays, and
more.
[0009] Roll-to-roll and roll-to-plate lithography methods typically
use cylindrically shaped masks (e.g. molds, stamps, photomasks,
etc.) to transfer desired patterns onto rigid or flexible
substrates. A desired pattern can be transferred onto a substrate
using, for example, imprinting methods (e.g. nanoimprint
lithography), the selective transfer of materials (e.g. micro- or
nano-contact printing, decal transfer lithography, etc.), or
exposure methods (e.g. optical contact lithography, near field
lithography, etc.). Some advanced types of such cylindrical masks
use soft polymers as patterned layers laminated on a cylinder's
outer surface. Unfortunately, lamination of a layer on a
cylindrical surface creates a seam line where the edges of the
lamination layer meet. This can create an undesirable image feature
at the seam when the pattern is repeatably transferred to a
substrate by using the cylindrical mask.
[0010] In addition to fabricating a mask having a seamless polymer
layer, it would be desirable to fabricate polymer layers with
smooth surfaces that are thick and uniform for use in subsequent
rolling lithography fabrication methods.
[0011] Patterned substrates and structured coatings have attractive
properties for a variety of applications, including architectural
glass, information displays, solar panels, and more. For example,
nanostructured coatings can provide desirable antireflection
characteristics for architectural glass. Current methods of
patterning substrates, including methods such as electron beam
lithography, photolithography, interference lithography, and other
methods, are often too costly for practical use in the manufacture
of patterned substrates or structured coatings in applications
requiring larger areas, especially those having areas of 200
cm.sup.2 or more.
[0012] As such, there is a need in the art for large area patterned
layers and low cost methods of manufacturing the same. It is within
this context that a need for the present invention arises.
[0013] Nanostructuring is necessary for many present applications
and industries and for new technologies and future advanced
products. Improvements in efficiency can be achieved for current
applications in areas such as solar cells and LEDs, and in next
generation data storage devices, for example and not by way of
limitation.
[0014] Nanostructured substrates may be fabricated using techniques
such as e-beam direct writing, Deep UV lithography, nanosphere
lithography, nanoimprint lithography, near-field phase shift
lithography, and plasmonic lithography, for example.
[0015] Earlier authors have suggested a method of nanopatterning
large areas of rigid and flexible substrate materials based on
near-field optical lithography described in International Patent
Application Publication No. WO2009094009 and U.S. Pat. No.
8,182,982, which are both incorporated herein in their entirety.
According to such methods, a rotatable mask is used to image a
radiation-sensitive material. Typically the rotatable mask
comprises a cylinder or cone with a mask pattern formed on its
surface. The mask rolls with respect to the radiation sensitive
material (e.g., photoresist) as radiation passes through the mask
pattern to the radiation sensitive material. For this reason, the
technique is sometimes referred to as "rolling mask" lithography.
This nanopatterning technique may make use of Near-Field
photolithography, where the mask used to pattern the substrate is
in contact with the substrate. Near-Field photolithography
implementations of this method may make use of an elastomeric
phase-shifting mask, or may employ surface plasmon technology,
where the rotating mask surface includes metal nano holes or
nanoparticles. In one implementation such a mask may be a
near-field phase-shift mask. Near-field phase shift lithography
involves exposure of a radiation-sensitive material layer to
ultraviolet (UV) light that passes through an elastomeric phase
mask while the mask is in conformal contact with a
radiation-sensitive material. Bringing an elastomeric phase mask
into contact with a thin layer of radiation-sensitive material
causes the radiation-sensitive material to "wet" the surface of the
contact surface of the mask. Passing UV light through the mask
while it is in contact with the radiation-sensitive material
exposes the radiation-sensitive material to the distribution of
light intensity that develops at the surface of the mask.
[0016] In some implementations, a phase mask may be formed with a
depth of relief that is designed to modulate the phase of the
transmitted light by it radians. As a result of the phase
modulation, a local null in the intensity appears at step edges in
the relief pattern formed on the mask. When a positive
radiation-sensitive material is used, exposure through such a mask,
followed by development, yields a line of radiation-sensitive
material with a width equal to the characteristic width of the null
in intensity. For 365 nm (Near UV) light in combination with a
conventional radiation-sensitive material, the width of the null in
intensity is approximately 100 nm. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
mask can be used to form a conformal, atomic scale contact with a
layer of radiation-sensitive material. This contact is established
spontaneously upon contact, without applied pressure. Generalized
adhesion forces guide this process and provide a simple and
convenient method of aligning the mask in angle and position in the
direction normal to the radiation-sensitive material surface, to
establish perfect contact. There is no physical gap with respect to
the radiation-sensitive material. PDMS is transparent to UV light
with wavelengths greater than 300 nm. Passing light from a mercury
lamp (where the main spectral lines are at 355-365 nm) through the
PDMS while it is in conformal contact with a layer of
radiation-sensitive material exposes the radiation-sensitive
material to the intensity distribution that forms at the mask.
[0017] Another implementation of the rotating mask may include
surface plasmon technology in which a metal layer or film is
laminated or deposited onto the outer surface of the rotatable
mask. The metal layer or film has a specific series of through
nanoholes. In another embodiment of surface plasmon technology, a
layer of metal nanoparticles is deposited on the transparent
rotatable mask's outer surface, to achieve the surface plasmons by
enhanced nanopatterning.
[0018] The abovementioned applications may each utilize a rotatable
mask. The rotatable masks may be manufactured with the aid of a
master mold (fabricated using one of known nanolithography
techniques, like e-beam, Deep UV, Interference and Nanoimprint
lithographies). The rotatable masks may be made by molding a
polymer material, curing the polymer to form a replica film, and
finally laminating the replica film onto the surface of a cylinder.
Unfortunately, this method unavoidably would create some "macro"
stitching lines between pieces of polymer film (even if the master
is very big and only one piece of polymer film is required to cover
entire cylinder's surface one stitching line is still unavoidable).
It is within this context that the present invention arises.
SUMMARY
[0019] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a
cylindrical mask may be fabricated by patterning a master mold,
forming a patterned polymer mask by casting liquid polymer on the
master mold, and curing the liquid polymer. A portion of one end of
the patterned polymer mask may be cutoff or the liquid polymer is
not cast on a strip at an end of the master mold. The master mold
and the patterned polymer mask may be rolled to form a laminate
cylinder to form a gap on the patterned polymer mask. The laminate
cylinder may be inserted into a casting cylinder with the substrate
to the master mold in contact with the casting cylinder and the gap
filled with additional liquid polymer, which can be cured to form a
free standing polymer by removing the casting cylinder and
separating the master mold from the laminate.
[0020] According to other aspects of the present disclosure a
cylindrical mask may be fabricated using a hollow casting cylinder
and a mask cylinder. The casting cylinder may have an inner
diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the mask
cylinder. The casting and mask cylinders may be coaxially assembled
and a liquid polymer inserted in a space surrounding the mask
cylinder between the inner surface of the casting cylinder and the
outer surface of the mask cylinder. After curing the liquid
polymer, the casting cylinder may be removed.
[0021] According to other aspects, a substrate may be patterned by
successively repeating imprinting the substrate with a master mask
having a pattern, the pattern having a smaller area than the
substrate until a desired area of the substrate is patterned. Each
successive imprinting may overlap part of a previously imprinted
portion of the substrate. Imprinting the substrate with the master
mask may include (i) depositing a polymer precursor liquid; (ii)
pressing the polymer precursor liquid between the master mask and
the substrate; and (iii) curing the polymer precursor liquid. The
resulting substrate may have a patterned layer with a plurality of
imprints, and each boundary between the imprints includes an
imprint overlapping a portion of another imprint.
[0022] Additional aspects of the present disclosure describe
cylindrical molds that may be used to produce cylindrical masks for
use in lithography. A structured porous layer may be deposited on
an interior surface of a cylinder. A radiation-sensitive material
may be deposited over the porous layer in order to fill pores
formed in the layer. The radiation-sensitive material in the pores
may be cured by exposing the cylinder with a light source. The
uncured resist and porous layer may be removed, leaving behind
posts on the cylinder's interior surface.
[0023] Further aspects of the present disclosure include a
cylindrical master mold assembly having a cylindrical patterned
component with a first diameter and a sacrificial casting component
with a second diameter. The component with the smaller radius may
be co-axially inserted into the interior of the component with the
larger radius. Patterned features may be formed on the interior
surface of the cylindrical patterned component that faces the
sacrificial casting component. The sacrificial casting component
may be removed once a cast polymer has been cured to allow the
polymer to be released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIGS. 1A-1C depict generic cylinders that are labeled to
help clarify descriptive language used in the description and
claims of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a mask cylinder assembled inside of a
cylindrical cast according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of fabricating a
cylindrical mask according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0027] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an assembly apparatus according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 5A-5D are a process flow diagram depicting a method of
fabricating a cylindrical mask according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 6A-6H are a process flow diagram depicting a method of
fabricating a cylindrical mask having multiple layers of polymer as
a compliant outer layer according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of
printing a pattern using rolling mask nanolithography with a
cylindrical mask fabricated in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly comprising a cylindrical patterned component with a
sacrificial casting component co-axially inserted inside according
to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly shown in FIG. 2A.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of instructions that describe a
method for forming a cylindrical mask with cylindrical master mold
assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 10A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly comprising a sacrificial casting component with a
cylindrical patterned component co-axially inserted inside
according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the cylindrical master
mold assembly shown in FIG. 4A.
[0036] FIGS. 10C-10E depict how the cylindrical mask may be removed
from the cylindrical patterned component according to aspects of
the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of instructions that describe a
method for forming a cylindrical mask with cylindrical master mold
assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIGS. 12A-12C depict cylindrical masks where a gas retainer
is formed between the elastomeric cylinder and the rigid
transparent cylinder according to aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 13A depicts a master mask according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 13B depicts a master mask being used to pattern a
larger area substrate according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 13C depicts an individual imprint of larger area
substrate using a master mask according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIGS. 13D-13E depict micrographs of the resulting patterned
substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIGS. 14A-14G depict a process flow of imprinting a large
area substrate according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIGS. 15A-15C depict examples of patterned large area
substrates according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 16 is an overhead view of a cylinder master mold with
protrusions extending out from the interior surface according to an
aspect of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIGS. 17A-17G are schematic diagrams that show the process
of forming the master mold according to aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0047] FIGS. 18A-18D are schematic diagrams that show the process
of forming the master mold according to additional aspects of the
present disclosure that utilize an epitaxial seed layer.
[0048] FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19B', and 19C are schematic diagrams that
show the process of forming the master mold according to additional
aspects of the present disclosure that utilize self-assembled
monomers formed on the interior of the master mold.
[0049] FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20B', and 20C are schematic diagrams that
show the process of forming the master mold according to additional
aspects of the present disclosure that utilize self-assembled
monomers formed on the exterior surface of the master mold.
[0050] FIGS. 21A-21G are schematic diagrams that depict a process
flow of producing a free-standing mask using a rolled laminate
according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 22A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly having a rolled laminate used in making a cylindrical mask
according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0052] FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the cylindrical master
mold assembly shown in FIG. 22A.
[0053] FIG. 23 is a process flow diagram depicting a method of
fabricating a cylindrical polymer mask using a rolled laminate
according to various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0054] FIG. 24A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly used in making a multilayered cylindrical mask according
to various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 24B is an overhead view of the cylindrical master mold
assembly shown in FIG. 24A.
[0056] FIG. 25 is a process flow diagram depicting a method of
fabricating a multilayered cylindrical polymer mask according to
various aspects of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] The following definitions of terms help to clarify and aid
in the understanding of the descriptive terminology used in the
description and claims of the present disclosure.
[0058] As used herein,
[0059] "opposing ends" of a component refers the opposite faces of
a cylinder or other axially symmetric shape as shown in FIG.
1A.
[0060] "outer surface" of a component refers to the exterior
surface on the sides of a cylinder or other axially symmetric shape
as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0061] "inner surface" of a component refers to the interior
surface on the inner sides of a hollow cylinder or other axially
symmetric shape as depicted in FIG. 1B.
[0062] "outer radius/diameter" of a component refers to a
radius/diameter of an outer surface of a cylinder or other axially
symmetric shape as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Where a component's
outer surface is of a shape that has radius/diameter that is not
constant, such as with a cone or other axially symmetric shape, the
outer radius/diameter may refer to any such radii/diameters, so
long as they correspond to the outer surface.
[0063] "inner radius/diameter" of a component refers to a
radius/diameter of an inner surface of a cylinder or other axially
symmetric shape as depicted in FIG. 1B. Where a component's inner
surface is of a shape that has radius/diameter that is not
constant, such as with a cone or other axially symmetric shape, the
inner radius/diameter may refer to any such radii/diameters, so
long as they correspond to the inner surface.
[0064] "coaxially assembling" components means assembling the
components so that they have the same axis of symmetry as depicted
in FIG. 1C.
[0065] "mask cylinder" or "masking cylinder" refers to a
cylindrical substrate for a cylindrical mask, onto the outer
surface of which a compliant layer is formed.
[0066] "cast cylinder" or "casting cylinder" refers to a
cylindrically shaped cast.
I. Casting Using Coaxial Components
[0067] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION I include methods
and apparatus for making rotatable masks. Various other methods and
apparatus are also included in this section. Casting/molding
processes and coaxial casting components may be used to cast a
compliant layer of a rotatable mask, which can provide benefits
that may include minimizing or eliminating the presence of a seam
in the rotatable mask. There may be various other advantages to
implementations of this section.
[0068] It is further noted that this SECTION I has applicability to
and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the remaining
SECTIONS II-VI of this description, including but not limited to
any such sections that may involve the use of coaxial casting
components and assemblies for making rotatable masks. By way of
example and not by way of limitation, various aspects of the
disclosure of this SECTION I can readily be applied to
implementations of SECTION II of this description, which involves
the use of sacrificial casting components and coaxially assembling
components for fabrication of rotatable masks.
[0069] In order to fabricate a cylindrical mask, polymer material
can be used as a compliant outer layer of a cylindrical mask. In
embodiments of the present invention, a casting process can be used
to form a compliant outer layer by casting polymer on the outer
surface of a mask cylinder to create a seamless outer layer. A
casting process in embodiments of the present invention can involve
coaxially assembling a casting cylinder and a mask cylinder and
inserting a liquid polymer in the space in the cast surrounding the
mask cylinder. The polymer is then cured and the casting cylinder
is removed to create a seamless cylindrical mask that can be used
to fabricate a variety of devices. The polymer layer of the
cylindrical mask can be patterned to create a mask pattern that can
be repeatably transferred to a substrate, e.g. by roll-to-roll
lithography, roll-to-plate lithography, etc.
[0070] In embodiments of the present invention, a method of
fabricating a cylindrical mask can include coaxially assembling a
casting cylinder and a mask cylinder, inserting liquid polymer in
the space between the casting and mask cylinders, curing the
polymer, and removing the casting cylinder. The method can further
include patterning the polymer, which can be an additional step
after removing the casting cylinder, or which can be incorporated
into the fabrication process by using a cylinder having a pattern
on its surface so that the pattern is transferred to the polymer
when it comes into contact with the cylinder's surface.
[0071] In embodiments of the present invention, assembling a
casting cylinder around the mask cylinder can involve the use of an
assembly apparatus that holds the mask and casting cylinders in
place during the fabrication of the cylindrical mask. The assembly
apparatus can be designed to preserve the coaxial alignment of the
cylinders during the casting process, creating cylindrical space of
uniform thickness around the mask cylinder that corresponds to the
outer compliant layer of the cylindrical mask. The fixture can be
designed to permit a liquid polymer material to be inserted into
this space while the cylinders are assembled with the fixture.
[0072] In embodiments of the present invention, an assembly
apparatus used to preserve the coaxial alignment of cylinders in
the fabrication process can include a set of plates, with the
plates held together at opposing ends of the cylinders by a pin.
The plates can include grooves aligned with the sides of the
cylinders, or other means, to hold the alignment of the cylinders
in place. One of the plates can have holes, or other means, that
permit a liquid polymer to be poured through it and into the space
corresponding to the outer compliant layer of the cylindrical
mask.
[0073] The casting fixtures may be removed by disassembly. For
example, after the polymer between the cylinders has cured, the
casting cylinder may be separated into two or more sections by
cutting it lengthwise from its exterior surface down to the tube
cured polymer without significant damage to the polymer or leaving
a small amount of the casting cylinder material. The cut can be
made by saw, chemical etching, or laser. The sections of casting
cylinder may then be the separated from the cured polymer and from
each other.
[0074] Embodiments of the present invention are capable of creating
patterned cylindrical masks having uniform and seamless outer
layers with ideal thickness and smoothness for the repeatable
transfer of the mask's pattern onto substrates for the fabrication
of various devices.
[0075] Turning now to FIG. 2, an assembly 200 of a mask cylinder
202 surrounded by a casting cylinder 204 is depicted according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The cylinders 202 and 204
are coaxially assembled to so that their axes 206 are aligned,
thereby creating a cylindrical region 208 of uniform thickness
around the mask cylinder which can define the shape of the outer
polymer layer of the cylindrical mask. Cylinders 202 and 204 can be
held in place using an assembly apparatus (not pictured) that
aligns their axes and permits a liquid polymer to be inserted into
cylindrical region 208 of the assembly, such as by pouring it
through openings or holes in the apparatus. Polymer precursor can
be inserted in the space 208 between the cylinders 202 and 204. The
polymer precursor may be in the form of a monomer, a polymer, a
partially cross-linked polymer, or any mixture of thereof in a
liquid or semi-liquid form. The polymer precursor can be cured to
form the outer polymer layer of the cylindrical mask. The polymer
may be patterned with a mask pattern in a variety of ways. For
example, the inner surface of casting cylinder 204 may contain a
mask pattern so that the outer surface of the polymer material
matches the pattern on the inner surface of the casting cylinder
204. As another example, the outer surface of the mask cylinder 202
may contain a mask pattern so that this pattern is transferred to
the inner surface of the polymer after it is formed on the mask
cylinder. As another example, the polymer material may be patterned
after subsequent fabrication steps and removal of the casting
cylinder 204 by patterning the outer surface of the polymer using
various lithography methods. As another example, the pattern may
also be patterned by some combination of the above.
[0076] Turning to FIG. 3, a flowchart of fabricating a seamless
cylindrical mask is depicted according to embodiments of the
present invention. Fabricating a cylindrical mask 300 can include
coaxially assembling the cylinders as indicated at 302, which can
involve assembling a casting cylinder and a mask cylinder so that
the axis of both the casting cylinder and the mask cylinder are the
same. The casting cylinder may be a hollow cylinder with an inner
diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the mask
cylinder, such that a space is left between the cylinders. This
difference in diameters can define the thickness of the outer
compliant layer of the mask so that, where D.sub.cast is the inner
diameter of the casting cylinder and D.sub.mask is the outer
diameter of the mask cylinder, the thickness T of the compliant
layer of the cylindrical mask will be
T = D cast - D mask 2 , ##EQU00001##
or half the difference in diameters. The thickness T can be
selected as desired for various application specific requirements
by using cylinders having the required diameters corresponding to
the equation above. Fabrication 300 can also include inserting
polymer precursor as indicated at 304 into the space in the casting
cylinder that surrounds the outer surface of the mask cylinder.
Inserting the polymer precursor can be done, for example, by
pouring a liquid or semi-liquid polymer precursor material in
through the top of the assembled cylinders into the space between
them. Inserting the polymer precursor may be done in other ways, so
long as the polymer precursor material is introduced into the space
between the cylinders. Preferably, the polymer should substantially
fill this space. The method for fabricating a cylindrical mask 300
can also include curing the polymer precursor as indicated at 306
to form a polymer layer. Curing the polymer precursor may involve
applying UV radiation, heat, or other curing treatment to the
assembly to harden the polymer. Once the polymer is cured, the
method 300 may further include removing the casting cylinder, as
indicated at 308, leaving behind a cylindrical mask having a
compliant outer layer corresponding to the cured polymer. The
method 300 may also include patterning the polymer, and this can be
accomplished, for example, by patterning the outer surface of the
compliant layer after the removing the cast or by using patterned
cylinders in the fabrication process so that patterning the polymer
is integrated into the other fabrication steps.
[0077] It is noted that although the casting cylinder is shown as
being assembled outside and around the mask cylinder, the reverse
configuration is also possible. In such an implementation, the
outer surface of the casting cylinder could be patterned and a
negative of the pattern on the outer surface of the casting
cylinder would be transferred to a polymer material on the inside
surface of the mask cylinder when the casting cylinder is
removed.
[0078] It is noted that removing the casting cylinder can be
performed in a variety of ways. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, the casting cylinder can be cut using a saw, a laser,
wet or dry etching, or other means. When cutting the casting
cylinder, care should be taken not to damage the polymer layer
underneath. If a laser is used to cut the casting cylinder, a
special layer could be deposited on the inside surface of the
casting cylinder to act as an etch stop layer, and this layer
should be reflective to the light that is used to cut the casting
cylinder material. Cutting can be performed using one or more cut
lines to make it easier to subsequently peel off the casting
cylinder from the polymer surface. Once the casting cylinder is
cut, it can be peeled off of the polymer surface mechanically. By
way of example and not by way of limitation, the casting cylinder
may be etched away chemically using etching chemicals that do not
also etch away the polymer or mask cylinder within. By way of
example and not by way of limitation, the casting cylinder may be
treated with a low friction coating or other release coating prior
to assembly so that, after the curing the casting cylinder can be
slid off the polymer surface. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, if the casting cylinder's coefficient of thermal
expansion is larger than the polymer's, the casting cylinder could
be heated to expand the casting cylinder and slide it off (if the
polymer can withstand such temperatures). By way of example and not
by way of limitation, the casting cylinder may be treated with a
uniform coating, which can be dissolved after curing the polymer,
and the casting cylinder can be slid off the polymer surface. The
casting cylinder may also be removed by other means, and such other
means of removal are within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not to be
limited to any specific method of removal unless explicitly recited
in the claims.
[0079] Turning to FIG. 4, details of an example of an assembly
apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention is
depicted. In FIG. 4A, an entire assembly apparatus 400 is depicted
that can be used to fabricate a seamless cylindrical mask according
to embodiments of the present invention. Apparatus 400 can include
plates 402 held together by a pin 406. The plates 402 can be held
together at opposing ends of the cylinders (not pictured), and pin
406 preferably lines up with the axes of the cylinders. By way of
example, the first plate 402a can be oriented as a top plate during
assembly and the second plate 402b can be oriented as a bottom
plate. The first plate 402a can further include holes to permit a
polymer to be poured through it and into a space between the
cylinders. The plates can also include grooves 410 that align with
the placement of the sidewalls of the mask cylinder and casting
cylinder to facilitate holding them in place.
[0080] FIG. 4C depicts a top view of a first plate 402a according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The placement of holes
408 can correspond to the space inside of the casting cylinder
surrounding the mask cylinder. First grooves 410a can be aligned
with a mask cylinder 412 and second grooves 410b can be aligned
with a casting cylinder 414 during fabrication of a cylindrical
mask in embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4C.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4B-4C it can be seen that holes
408 are positioned between the grooves 410a and 410b where the
surfaces of the mask cylinder 412 and casting cylinder 414 would
line up, in order to better facilitate pouring the polymer
precursor 416 into the space between the two cylinders. It is noted
that holes 408 can be designed in any of a variety of shapes,
patterns, numbers of holes, etc., that permit the polymer precursor
416 to be inserted through the assembly apparatus, and the holes
shown in FIG. 4C are provided for illustration purposes only. It is
further noted that although circular plates are generally depicted,
other shapes may be used, and the plates shown in the figures are
for illustration purposes only.
[0081] FIG. 4D depicts a plan view of plate 402 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Plate 402 can include grooves
410 to enable the apparatus 400 to hold the cylinders in place
during fabrication of a cylindrical mask. Plate 402 can include
first grooves 410a aligned with a mask cylinder and second grooves
410b aligned with a casting cylinder during fabrication of a
cylindrical mask in embodiments of the present invention. It is
noted that grooves 410 can be designed in any of a variety of
shapes and patterns depending on the cylinders used to fabricate
the cylindrical mask, and the grooves shown in the figures are
provided for descriptive purposes only. It is also noted that both
a first plate 402a and a second plate 402b can have grooves for
holding the alignment of the cylinders in place such as are shown
in FIGS. 4A-4D.
[0082] Turning to FIGS. 5A-5D, a process flow of fabricating a
cylindrical mask is depicted according to embodiments of the
present invention. In FIG. 5A, a casting cylinder 504 is coaxially
assembled around a mask cylinder 502 to create assembly 506 using
an assembly apparatus that holds the cylinders in place and aligns
their center axes. In FIG. 5A, the fixture includes a first plate
508a, a second plate 508b, and a pin 510 that can attach to the
plates 508 to hold them together at opposing ends of cylinders 502
and 504. The cylinders 502 and 504 can be made from a variety of
materials, including, for example, glass, metal, polymer, or other
materials.
[0083] The mask cylinder, 502, is preferably made of a material
that is transparent to UV or other radiation used in the
photolithography process employing the Cylinder Mask. Examples of
materials for the mask cylinder 502 include fused silica. The
casting cylinder 504 is preferably made from a material that is
dimensionally stable for successful casting and is also amenable to
the removal process, e.g., as described above. The casting cylinder
may be transparent to UV or other radiation, but does not have to
be so configured in all embodiments.
[0084] The inner surface of the casting cylinder 504 may include a
mask pattern that corresponds to a desired pattern for the outer
surface of the cylindrical mask's compliant layer so that the
polymer is patterned during the casting process depicted in FIG. 5.
Likewise, the outer surface of the mask cylinder 502 may include a
mask pattern for the inner surface of the cylindrical mask's
compliant layer. Alternatively, the surfaces of the cylinders 502
and 504 may have no patterns, and the outer surface of the polymer
may be patterned by various lithography methods after the compliant
layer is formed. In FIG. 5B, a liquid polymer 512 is inserted into
the space between the cylinders, between the inner surface of the
casting cylinder 504 and the outer surface of the mask cylinder
502. By way of example, inserting polymer precursor 512 can be
accomplished by pouring it on the top of the assembly 506 through
the fixture, through openings 514 left in top plate 508a and into a
space inside of the casting cylinder that surrounds the mask
cylinder. In FIG. 5C, the polymer is cured, e.g., by applying UV
radiation, temperature treatment, or other curing means 516 to the
assembly 506. In FIG. 5D, the casting cylinder 504 is removed from
the cured polymer 518, leaving behind cylindrical mask 520 with the
cured polymer 518 as a compliant outer layer. If patterned
cylinders were not used in the fabrication process, the process of
FIG. 5 can further include patterning the outer surface of the
compliant outer layer 518 with a desired mask pattern after
removing the casting cylinder 504.
[0085] It is noted that a pattern should be formed on a surface of
the polymer, preferably the outer surface for contact lithography,
so that the cylindrical mask may be used to transfer a pattern onto
a substrate. In embodiments of the present invention, the outer
surface of the polymer may be patterned by a variety of means. In
embodiments of the present invention, a mask pattern may applied to
the inner surface of the casting cylinder prior to filling the cast
with a liquid polymer, such that the mask pattern is transferred to
the outer surface of the polymer during casting on the mask
cylinder. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the polymer
may be patterned after removal of the casting cylinder. Regardless
of the method of patterning chosen, care should be taken to avoid
stitching errors when forming the mask pattern so that this pattern
is also seamless. Accordingly, it is preferable that cylindrical
masks of embodiments of the present invention include not only a
seamless compliant layer, but also a seamless pattern on a surface
of the compliant layer.
[0086] It is noted that patterning the inner surface of the casting
cylinder or the outer surface of the mask cylinder can be done
using a variety of techniques according to embodiments of the
present invention. For example, the inner or outer surface of a
cylinder may be patterned by successively imprinting it with a
smaller master mask, as described in SECTION III of this
description and in commonly-assigned, co-pending application No.
61/641,650, (attorney docket no. RO-014-PR), filed May 2, 2012, the
entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. As
another example, a cylinder surface may be patterned using any of a
variety of known techniques, including nanoimprint lithography,
nanocontact printing, photolithography, etc. As another example,
the cylinder surface can be patterned using an anodization process.
This can be accomplished, for example, by using a casting cylinder
made of aluminum. An aluminum surface for anodization may
alternatively be provided, for example, by depositing an aluminum
layer on a surface of a cylinder. A nanoporous surface can then be
created on the aluminum surface using an anodization process. As
another example, patterning the inner surface can be performed by
self-assembly of nanoparticles or nanospheres. Nanoparticles or
nanospheres can be deposited from suspension using dipping methods,
spraying methods, or other methods. Upon drying, cylinder material
can be etched using these nanoparticles or nanospheres as an etch
mask, then removing or etching away such etch mask.
[0087] Patterning the polymer on the outer surface of the
cylindrical mask, after removal of the casting cylinder, can be
done using a variety of techniques according to embodiments of the
present invention. For example, the outer surface of the polymer
may be patterned by successively imprinting it with a smaller
master mask, as described in SECTION III of this description and in
commonly-assigned, co-pending application No. 61/641,650 (attorney
docket no. RO-014-PR), mentioned above. As another example, the
outer surface of the polymer may be patterned using any of a
variety of known techniques, including nanoimprint lithography,
nanocontact printing, photolithography, nanosphere lithography,
self-assembly, interference lithography, anodic aluminum oxidation,
and the like.
[0088] It is also noted that the compliant layer of the cylindrical
mask is not limited to a single polymer layer, but can include
multiple layers of polymer having different properties. Embodiments
of the present invention can include forming a two layer polymer
for the compliant outer layer of a cylindrical mask. The outermost
layer of the two layer polymer can be a harder layer having a
higher durability than a softer, innermost polymer layer, thereby
allowing patterning of higher resolution or higher aspect ratio
nanostructures than can be done with just a soft polymer layer. The
inner surface of the casting cylinder can be pretreated with a
release coating to facilitate its removal from the outermost
polymer layer at the end of fabrication. Forming a two layer
polymer can involve depositing liquid polymer of the outermost
layer on an inner patterned surface of a casting cylinder. For a
two-layer polymer, the outer surface may be patterned after removal
of the casting cylinder (instead of patterning the inside of the
casting cylinder), in the same manner as a single layer cushioning
material. The hard polymer layer can then be cured, for example, by
temperature treatment, UV radiation, or other means. After curing,
the inner surface of this hard polymer layer can be surface treated
to promote adhesion to the other, softer, innermost polymer layer.
Surface treatment can be done, for example, by plasma treatment,
corona discharge, deposition of adhesion coating, or other means. A
softer, innermost polymer layer can then be formed in the same
manner as described above for a single layer polymer. It is also
noted that a multilayered cylindrical mask can be formed by
successively repeating the casting process described herein by
casting a new polymer layer on the outer surface of a previously
manufactured polymer layer. In this case, a larger casting cylinder
should be used each time, after the previous casting cylinder is
removed, in order to leave space for the new polymer layer between
the outer surface of the previously manufactured polymer layer and
the inner surface of the new casting cylinder.
[0089] In embodiments that use two or more polymer layers it is
desirable that the optical index of both the material covering the
prior pattern and the prior pattern are index matched. Also, it is
desirable that the photolithography tool that uses the resulting
mask be configured to accommodate masks with increasing
diameters.
[0090] Turning to FIG. 6, a more detailed process flow for forming
a cylindrical mask having a two-layer polymer as its outer
compliant layer is depicted according to an embodiment of the
present invention. By way of example, fabricating a cylindrical
mask having a compliant outer layer that is a two layer polymer can
include patterning the inner surface of a casting cylinder 602, as
depicted in FIG. 6A. The patterned inner surface can then be
treated with a release coating 604 to facilitate subsequent release
of the casting cylinder from the outer surface of the outermost
polymer layer, as shown in FIG. 6B. In FIG. 6C, a liquid polymer
material 606 is deposited on the inner surface of the casting
cylinder to form the outermost layer of the multilayered compliant
outer laminate.
[0091] The polymer may be deposited in accordance with any of a
number of known methods. By way of example, and not by way of
limitation, the polymer may be deposited by dipping, ultrasonic
spraying, microjet or inkjet type dispensing, and possibly dipping
combined with spinning. Polymer material 606 can preferably be a
harder polymer, such as h-PDMS as described in Truong, T. T., et
al, Soft Lithography Using Acryloxy Perfluoropolyether Composite
Stamps. Langmuir 2007, 23, (5), 2898-2905, the disclosure of which
is herein incorporated by reference. Using a more durable outer
layer can permit the patterning of higher resolution or higher
aspect ratio nanostructures than can be done with a single layer of
polymer as the outer laminate of a cylindrical mask. In FIG. 6D,
the outermost polymer layer 606 is cured by UV radiation,
temperature treatment, or other curing means 608a. In FIG. 6E,
curing can be followed by surface treatment of the inner surface of
the outer polymer layer 606 to promote adhesion between the polymer
layers, for example by plasma treatment, corona discharge,
deposition of adhesion coating, or other means. In FIG. 6F, the
casting cylinder 602 having the outer polymer layer 606 on its
inner surface is assembled around a mask cylinder 610 using an
assembly apparatus having plates 612 held together on opposing ends
of the cylinders 602 and 610 by pin 614. In FIG. 6G, liquid polymer
618 is inserted into the casting cylinder by pouring it through
holes or openings 620 in the top plate 612a of the apparatus.
Liquid polymer 618 can correspond to an inner polymer layer, which
can be softer than the outer polymer layer, and liquid polymer 618
is inserted in the space between the inner surface of the casting
cylinder 602 and the outer surface of the mask cylinder, and more
specifically between the inner surface of the outer polymer layer
and the outer surface of the mask cylinder. In FIG. 6H, inner
polymer layer 618 is cured by applying curing means 608b, which can
be UV radiation, heat, or other means, to the assembly 616. In FIG.
6I, casting cylinder 602 is removed leaving behind cylindrical mask
622 having a compliant outer layer that includes inner polymer
layer 618 and outer polymer layer 606 on the outer surface of a
mask cylinder 610. Cylindrical mask 622 has a patterned outer
surface that corresponds to the mask pattern applied to the inner
surface of the casting cylinder 602 in the step of FIG. 6A.
[0092] It is further noted that the thickness of the polymer
layer(s) may vary according to various application specific
requirements. The thickness of the polymer layer(s) may preferably
be, but is not required to be, in the range of about 0.5 mm-5 mm.
Where a two-layer polymer is used, a softer innermost layer may be
relatively thick, for example in the range of about 0.5-5 mm, and
the harder, outermost, patterned layer may be relatively thin, for
example in the range of about 0.5-10 .mu.m.
[0093] It is further noted that the polymer used to fabricate the
cylindrical mask can be, for example, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
materials, such as Sylgard.RTM. 184 of Dow Corning.RTM., h-PDMS
("hard" PDMS), soft-PDMS gel, etc. Where two layers of polymer are
used, the soft inner polymer may be a soft-PDMS gel and the outer
layer can be Sylgard.RTM. 184, for example. As another example, the
inner layer may be Sylgard.RTM. 184 and the outer layer may be
h-PDMS. It is noted that a variety of other elastomeric and polymer
materials can be used to fabricate a cylindrical mask and are
within the scope of the present invention. Other possible polymers
that may be used include optical adhesives, e.g., mercapto-ester
based adhesives, a number of which are available from Norland
products of Cranbury, N.J., perfluoropolyethers, or other UV
curable or heat curable polymers.
[0094] It is also noted that the means used for curing polymer in
embodiments of the present invention can depend on the type of
polymer being cured, the cylinder material used, and other factors.
For example, curing can be done thermally, with UV radiation, or
other means.
[0095] It is further noted that those having ordinary skill in the
art can conceive of various modifications to the design of an
assembly apparatus or the method of preserving the alignment of
cylinders in place without departing from the teachings of the
present invention.
[0096] It is also noted that the present invention can be used to
form various different patterns for various substrates and devices.
Patterns can include features of having dimensions of different
sizes and can preferably include micro or nanoscaled features, and
more preferably have nanoscaled features.
[0097] Embodiments of the present invention may be used in
conjunction with a type of lithography known as "rolling mask"
nanolithography. An example of a "rolling mask" near-field
nanolithography system is described, e.g., in commonly-assigned
International Patent Application Publication Number WO2009094009,
which is incorporated by reference herein. An example of such a
system is shown in FIG. 7. The "rolling mask" may be in the form of
a glass (e.g. quartz) frame in the shape of hollow cylinder 711,
which contains a light source 712. An elastomeric film 713 formed
on the outer surface of the cylinder 711 as described above may
have a nanopattern 714 fabricated in accordance with the desired
pattern to be formed on a substrate 715. The nanopattern 714 can be
designed to implement phase-shift exposure, and in such case is
fabricated as an array of nanogrooves, posts or columns, or may
contain features of arbitrary shape.
[0098] By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
nanopattern 714 on the cylinder 711 may have features in the form
of parallel lines having a linewidth of about 50 nanometers and a
pitch of about 200 nanometers or greater. In general, the linewidth
may be in a rage from about 1 nanometer to about 500 nanometers and
pitch may range from about 10 nanometers to about 10 microns.
Although examples are described herein in which the nanopattern 714
is in the form of regularly parallel lines, the nanopattern may
alternatively be a regularly repeating two-dimensional pattern,
having regularly-spaced and arbitrarily-shaped spots. Furthermore,
the pattern features (lines or arbitrary shapes) may be irregularly
spaced.
[0099] The nanopattern 714 on the cylinder 711 is brought into a
contact with a photosensitive material 716, such as a photoresist
that is coated on a substrate 715. The photosensitive material 716
is exposed to radiation from the light source 712 and the pattern
714 on the cylinder 711 is transferred to the photosensitive
material 716 at the place where the nanopattern contacts the
photosensitive material. The substrate 715 is translated as the
cylinder rotates such that the nanopattern 714 remains in contact
with the photosensitive material. Depending on the nature of the
photosensitive material, portions of the pattern that are exposed
to radiation may react with the radiation so that they become
removable or non-removable.
[0100] By way of example, if the photosensitive material is a type
of photoresist known as a positive resist, the portion of the
material that is exposed to light becomes soluble to a developer
and the portion of the material that is unexposed remains insoluble
to the developer. By way of counterexample, if the photosensitive
material is a type of photoresist known as a negative resist, the
portion of the material that is exposed to light becomes insoluble
to a developer and the unexposed portion of the material is
dissolved by the photoresist.
[0101] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the
photosensitive material 716 may be exposed by passing the substrate
past the cylinder 711 two or more times. For sufficiently small
values of the pitch and linewidth, the linear pattern of exposure
resulting from one pass is unlikely to line up with each other. As
a result, lines from one pass are likely to end up between lines of
a previous pass. By careful choice of the pitch, linewidth, and
number of passes it is possible to end up with a pattern of lines
in the photosensitive material 716 that has a pitch smaller than
the pitch of the lines in the pattern 714 on the cylinder 711.
[0102] When patterning the polymer, care should be taken to avoid
stitching errors in the pattern. Preferably, fabrication of a
cylindrical mask in embodiments of the present invention also
involves patterning a seamless pattern on a seamless polymer layer.
This prevents a seam from being transmitted to a substrate when the
cylindrical mask is used to repeatably pattern a substrate, both
because the compliant outer layer itself is seamless, and because
the pattern contained on a surface of the compliant layer is also
seamless.
[0103] It is further noted that embodiments of the invention may be
applied to fabrication of rolling masks that are axi-symmetric but
not cylindrical, e.g., masks that are frusto-conical in shape. In
such cases, a mask element and cast element may be co-axially
aligned with plates held together by one or more pins. When
co-axially assembled, the facing surfaces of the mask element and
the cast element may have similar shapes and the same aspect ratio
so that a space of substantially uniform thickness is defined
between them.
II. Casting Using Sacrificial Components
[0104] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION II include methods
and apparatus for making rotatable masks using sacrificial casting
components. Various other methods and apparatus are also included
in this section. Sacrificial casting components in accordance with
aspects of this section may be used in conjunction with patterned
casting components in order to cast a compliant layer for a
rotatable mask, which can provide benefits that may include
preserving a patterned casting component for future use without
damage to a pattern on its surface. There may be various other
advantages to implementations of this section.
[0105] It is further noted that this SECTION II has applicability
to and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the
remaining SECTIONS I and III-VI of this description, including but
not limited to any such sections that may involve the use of
coaxial casting components and assemblies for making rotatable
masks. By way of example and not by way of limitation, various
aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION II can readily be
implemented in SECTION VI of this description, which involves the
use of coaxially assembling components for fabrication of
multilayered rotatable masks.
[0106] Aspects of the present disclosure describe various patterned
component assemblies and methods for fabricating near-field optical
lithography masks for "Rolling mask" lithography with the patterned
component assemblies. In rolling mask lithography, a cylindrical
mask is coated with a polymer, which is patterned with desired
features in order to obtain a mask for phase-shift lithography or
plasmonic printing. The features that are patterned into the
polymer may be patterned through the use of the patterned component
assemblies described in the present application. The pattern
component may include patterned features that range in size from
about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns, preferably from about 10
nanometers to about 1 micron, more preferably from about 50
nanometers to about 500 nanometers. The cylindrical mask may be
used to print features ranging in size from about 1 nanometer to
about 1000 nanometers, preferably about 10 nanometers to about 500
nanometers, more preferably about 50 nanometers to about 200
nanometer
[0107] A first aspect of the present disclosure describes a
cylindrical master mold assembly comprised of a cylindrical
patterned component that has a first diameter and a sacrificial
casting component that has a second diameter. The second diameter
may be smaller than the first diameter. Patterned features may be
formed on the interior surface of the cylindrical patterned
component and the sacrificial casting component may be inserted
co-axially into the interior of the cylindrical patterned
component. A polymer material may then fill the gap between the
patterned component and the sacrificial casting component in order
to form the cylindrical mask. The sacrificial casting component may
be removed once the polymer has been cured. According to certain
aspects of the present disclosure, the sacrificial casting
component may be fractured in order to allow the cylindrical mask
to be removed. Additionally, certain aspects of the present
disclosure also provide for the sacrificial casting component to be
deformed in order to allow the cylindrical mask to be removed.
[0108] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure
a cylindrical master mold assembly may have a cylindrical patterned
component that has a first diameter, and a sacrificial casting
component that has a second diameter. The second diameter may be
larger than the first diameter. The patterned component may have
patterned features formed on its exterior surface. The patterned
component may be inserted co-axially into the sacrificial casting
component. A polymer may then fill the gap between the patterned
component and the sacrificial casting component. Once the polymer
has cured, the sacrificial casting component may be broken away,
leaving the cylindrical mask on the patterned component. The
cylindrical mask may then be peeled off of the patterned
component.
[0109] According to a further aspect, a cylindrical mask may
comprise a cylindrical elastomer component with an inner radius and
a rigid transparent cylindrical component having an outer radius. A
gas retainer is configured to retain a volume of gas between an
inner surface of the elastomer component and an outer surface of
the rigid transparent cylindrical component. The elastomer
component has a major surface with a nanopattern formed in the
major surface. The outer radius of the rigid transparent component
is sized to fit within the cylindrical elastomer component.
[0110] In some implementations, the gas retainer may include two
seals. Each seal seals a corresponding end of the volume of gas.
Such seals may be in the form of O-rings or gaskets. In some
implementations, the volume of gas may be retained by a bladder
disposed between the major surface of the elastomer component and
the major surface of the rigid transparent cylindrical
component.
[0111] In some implementations, the major surface of the
cylindrical elastomeric component on which the nanopattern is
formed is an outer cylindrical surface.
[0112] The authors have described a "Rolling mask" near-field
nanolithography system earlier in International Patent Application
Publication Number WO2009094009, which is incorporated herein by
reference. One of the embodiments is show in FIG. 7. The "rolling
mask" consists of a glass (e.g., fused silica) frame in the shape
of hollow cylinder 711, which contains a light source 712. An
elastomeric cylindrical rolling mask 713 laminated on the outer
surface of the cylinder 711 has a nanopattern 714 fabricated in
accordance with the desired pattern. The rolling mask 713 is
brought into a contact with a substrate 715 coated with
radiation-sensitive material 716.
[0113] A nanopattern 714 can be designed to implement phase-shift
exposure, and in such case is fabricated as an array of
nanogrooves, posts or columns, or may contain features of arbitrary
shape. Alternatively, nanopattern can be fabricated as an array or
pattern of nanometallic islands for plasmonic printing. The
nanopattern on the rolling mask can have features ranging in size
from about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns, preferably from about
10 nanometers to about 1 micron, more preferably from about 50
nanometers to about 500 nanometers. The rolling mask can be used to
print features ranging in size from about 1 nanometer to about 1000
nanometers, preferably about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers,
more preferably about 50 nanometers to about 200 nanometers.
[0114] The nanopattern 714 on the rolling mask 713 may be
manufactured with the use of a cylindrical master mold assembly.
Aspects of the present disclosure describe the cylindrical master
mold assembly and methods for forming the nanopattern on the
rolling mask 713.
[0115] FIG. 8A is an overhead view of a master mold assembly 800.
The master mold assembly 800 comprises a cylindrical patterned
component 820 and sacrificial casting component 830. The
cylindrical patterned component 820 may have a first radius R.sub.1
and the sacrificial casting component 830 may have a second radius
R.sub.2. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure,
R.sub.1 may be greater than R.sub.2 in order to allow for the
sacrificial casting component 830 to be co-axially inserted into
the interior of the cylindrical patterned component 820 with a
space 840 between them.
[0116] The patterned component 820 may be made from a material that
is transparent to optical radiation, such as infrared, visible,
and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. By way of example, and not by way
of limitation, the cylinder may be a glass such as fused silica. It
is noted that fused silica is commonly referred to as "quartz" by
those in the semiconductor fabrication industry. Although quartz is
common parlance, "fused silica" is a better term. Technically,
quartz is crystalline and fused silica is amorphous. As may be seen
in FIG. 8B, the interior surface of the patterned component 820 may
be patterned with the desired pattern 825 that will be used to form
the nanopattern 714 on the cylindrical mask 713. By way of example,
and not by way of limitation, the pattern 825 may be formed with
the use of structured porous mask or a self-assembled monolayer
(SAM) mask in conjunction with photolithography techniques
described in SECTION IV of this description and in commonly owned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/756,348, entitled "CYLINDRICAL
MASTER MOLD AND METHOD OF FABRICATION" (Attorney Docket No.
RO-018-US) filed Jan. 31, 2013, and incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
[0117] The sacrificial casting component 830 should be able to be
removed after the cylindrical rolling mask 713 has been cured
without damaging the nanopattern 714. According to aspects of the
present disclosure, the sacrificial casting component 830 may be a
thin walled cylinder that is formed from a material that is easily
fractured. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
material may be glass, sugar, or an aromatic hydrocarbon resin,
such as Piccotex.TM. or an aromatic styrene hydrocarbon resin, such
as Piccolastic.TM.. Piccotex.TM. and Piccolastic.TM. are trademarks
of Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tenn. By way of example,
and not by way of limitation, the sacrificial casting component 830
may be approximately 1 to 10 mm thick, or in any thickness range
encompassed therein, e.g., 2 to 4 mm thick. The nanopattern 714 of
the cylindrical mask 713 is not located on the surface of the
sacrificial casting component 830, and therefore the nanopattern
714 is not susceptible to damage during the removal. According to
additional aspects of the present disclosure, the sacrificial
casting component 830 may be made from a material that is dissolved
by a solvent that does not harm the patterend component 820 or the
cylindrical mask 713. By way of example, a suitable dissolvable
material may be a sugar based material and the solvent may be
water. Dissolving the sacrificial casting component 830 instead of
fracturing may provide additional protection to the nanopattern
714.
[0118] According to yet additional aspects of the present
disclosure, the casting component 830 may be a thin walled sealed
cylinder made from malleable material such as plastic or aluminum.
Instead of fracturing the sacrificial casting component 830, the
sealed component may be removed by collapsing the component by
evacuating the air from inside the cylinder. According to yet
another aspect of the present disclosure, the sacrificial casting
component 830 may be a pneumatic cylinder made of an elastic
material. Examples of elastic materials that may be suitable for a
pneumatic cylinder include, but are not limited to plastic,
polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is sold under
the name Teflon.RTM., which is a registered trademark of E. I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. During the molding
process, the sacrificial casting component 830 may be inflated to
form a cylinder and once the cylindrical mask 713 has cured, the
casting component 830 may be deflated in order to be removed
without damaging the cylindrical mask. In some implementations,
such a pneumatic cylinder may be reusable or disposable depending,
e.g., on whether it is relatively inexpensive to make and easy to
clean.
[0119] As in FIG. 9, aspects of the present disclosure describe a
process 900 that may use cylindrical master mold assemblies 800 to
form cylindrical masks 713. First, at 960 a sacrificial casting
component 830 may be co-axially inserted into a cylindrical
patterned component 820. Then, the space 840 between the
sacrificial casting component 830 and the cylindrical patterned
component 820 is filled with a liquid precursor that, when cured,
forms an elastomeric material at 961. By way of example, and not by
way of limitation, the material may be polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS).
[0120] Next, at 962 the liquid precursor is cured to form the
elastomeric material that will serve as the cylindrical mask 713.
By way of example, the curing process may require exposure to
optical radiation. The radiation source may be located co-axially
within the master mold assembly 800 when the sacrificial casting
component 830 is transparent to the wavelengths of radiation
required to cure the liquid precursor. Alternatively, the radiation
source may be located outside of the master mold assembly 800 and
the exposure may be made through the cylindrical patterned
component 820. Once the cylindrical mask 713 has cured, the
sacrificial casting component 830 may be removed at 962. By way of
example, and not by way of limitation, the casting component 830
may be removed by fracturing, dissolving, deflating, or
collapsing.
[0121] FIG. 10A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly 1000 according to an additional aspect of the present
disclosure. As shown, the cylindrical patterned component 1020 may
have a first radius R.sub.1 and the sacrificial casting component
1030 may have a second radius R.sub.2 that is larger than R.sub.1.
The cylindrical master mold assembly 1000 is formed by co-axially
inserting the cylindrical patterned component 1020 inside of the
sacrificial casting component 1030 leaving an empty space 1040
between the two components.
[0122] The patterned component 1020 may be made from a material
that is transparent to optical radiation, such as infrared, visible
and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. By way of example, and not by way
of limitation, the cylinder may be a glass, such as quartz. As
shown in the perspective view in FIG. 10B, a pattern 1025 is formed
on the exterior surface of the cylindrical patterned component
1020. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the pattern
1025 may be formed through the use of nano lithography techniques
such as, but not limited to e-beam direct writing, Deep UV
lithography, nanosphere lithography, nanoimprint lithography,
near-field phase shift lithography, and plasmonic lithography.
[0123] The sacrificial casting component 1030 may be removed after
the cylindrical rolling mask 713 has been cured without damaging
the nanopattern 714. According to aspects of the present
disclosure, the sacrificial casting component 1030 may be a thin
walled cylinder that is formed from a material that is easily
fractured. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
material may be glass. The nanopattern 714 of the cylindrical mask
713 is not located on the surface of the sacrificial casting
component 1030, and therefore the nanopattern 714 is not
susceptible to damage during the removal. According to additional
aspects of the present disclosure, the sacrificial casting
component 1030 may be made from a material that is dissolved by a
solvent that does not harm the patterend component 1020 or the
cylindrical mask 713. By way of example, a suitable dissolvable
material may be a sugar based material and the solvent may be
water. Dissolving the sacrificial casting component 1030 instead of
fracturing may provide additional protection to the nanopattern
714.
[0124] After the sacrificial casting component 1030 has been
removed, the cylindrical mask 713 remains on the patterned
component 1020 as shown in FIG. 10C. In order to remove the
cylindrical mask 713 from the patterned component 1020 the
cylindrical mask 713 may be peeled back against itself. Starting
from one end of the patterned component 1020, the cylindrical mask
is pulled back over itself in a direction parallel to the axis of
the patterned component 1020, such that the interior surface where
the nanopattern 714 was formed is revealed. FIG. 10D depicts the
removal process at a point where the cylindrical mask 713 has been
partially removed. In order to fold back on itself during the
removal process, the cylindrical mask 713 should be relatively
thin, e.g., 4 millimeters thick or thinner. As such, the difference
between the first and second radii should preferably be 4
millimeters or less. Once the entire cylindrical mask 713 has been
removed from the patterned component 1020, it will have been turned
completely inside out, revealing the nanopattern 714 on the
exterior surface as shown in FIG. 10E.
[0125] As in FIG. 11, aspects of the present disclosure describe a
process 1100 that may use cylindrical master mold assemblies 1000
to form cylindrical masks 713. First, at 1160 a cylindrical
patterned component 1020 is co-axially inserted into a sacrificial
casting component 1030. Then, the space 1040 between the
sacrificial casting component 1030 and the cylindrical patterned
component 1020 is filled with a liquid precursor that, when cured,
forms an elastomeric material at 1161. By way of example, and not
by way of limitation, the material may be polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS).
[0126] Next, at 1162 the liquid precursor is cured to form the
elastomeric material that will serve as the cylindrical mask 713.
By way of example, the curing process may require exposure to
optical radiation. The radiation source may be located co-axially
within the master mold assembly 1000. Alternatively, the radiation
source may be located outside of the master mold assembly 1000 and
the exposure may be made through the sacrificial casting component
1030 if the casting component 1030 is transparent to the
wavelengths of radiation required to cure the liquid precursor.
Once the cylindrical mask 713 has cured, the sacrificial casting
component 1030 may be removed at 1163. By way of example, and not
by way of limitation, the sacrificial casting component 1030 may be
removed by fracturing and/or dissolving. Finally, at 1164 the
cylindrical mask is pulled back over itself in a direction parallel
to the axis of the patterned component 1020, such that the interior
surface where the nanopattern 714 was formed is revealed.
[0127] FIG. 12A depicts a cylindrical mask 1200 according to an
additional aspect of the present disclosure. Cylindrical mask 1200
is substantially similar to the cylindrical mask depicted in FIG.
7, with the addition of a gas retainer 1218 located between the
elastomeric rolling mask 1213 and the rigid hollow cylinder 1211.
By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the elastomeric
rolling mask 1213 may have a patterned surface 1214 and may be a
made in substantially the same manner as described in processes 900
or 1100. The rigid hollow cylinder may also be transparent to
optical radiation. By way of example, and not by way of limitation,
the hollow cylinder may be a glass such as fused silica. A light
source 1212 may be placed inside hollow cylinder 1211. The gas
retainer 1218 retains a volume of gas 1217 between the outer
surface of the cylinder 1211 and the inner surface of the
elastomeric mask 1213. The gas retainer 1218 may be pressurized in
order to provide an additional tunable source of compliance for the
elastomeric rolling mask 1213. By way of example, and not by way of
limitation, the gas retainer 1218 may be formed by a pair of seals
or by an inflatable bladder.
[0128] FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view along the line 6-6 shown
in FIG. 12A of a cylindrical rolling mask 1201 that depicts an
aspect of the present disclosure where the gas retainer 1218 is
formed by pair of seals 1218.sub.s. Each seal 1218.sub.s may be a
hollow cylinder, ring, or torus-like shape, such as, but not
limited to an O-ring or gasket. The seals 1218.sub.s may be made of
a suitable elastomer material. The elastomeric mask 1213 may then
be spaced apart from the rigid hollow cylinder 1211 at each end by
a seal 1218.sub.s. The inner radius of the elastomeric mask 1213
can be chosen such that the volume of gas 1217 bounded by the
interior surface of the elastomeric mask 1213, the seals 1218.sub.s
and the rigid outer surface of the rigid hollow cylinder 1211 may
be pressurized. When the volume of gas 1217 is pressurized, the
elastomeric mask 1213 may be spaced away from the outer surface of
the rigid hollow cylinder 1211 by the pressure of the volume of gas
1217 retained between the inner surface of the elastomeric mask
1213 and the outer surface of the cylinder 1211. The cylinder 1211
may optionally include grooves sized and shaped to receive the
seals 1218.sub.s and facilitate retaining the seals when the gas in
the volume is pressurized.
[0129] FIG. 12C is a cross sectional view along the line 6-6 shown
in FIG. 12A of a cylindrical rolling mask 1202 that depicts an
aspect of the present disclosure where the gas retainer 1218 is
formed by a bladder 1218.sub.B. The bladder 1218.sub.B may be
cylindrical in shape and positioned between the rigid hollow
cylinder 1211 and the elastomeric mask 1213. When volume of gas
1217 within the bladder 1218.sub.B is pressurized, the bladder
1218.sub.B supports the elastomeric mask 1213 above the outer
surface of the rigid hollow cylinder 1211.
III. Patterning a Larger Area Substrate Using Successive
Imprints
[0130] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION III include
methods and apparatus for patterning a larger area master mask
using a successive imprinting scheme with a smaller area master
mask. Various other methods and apparatus are also included in this
section. Successive imprints can be used to pattern a relatively
large area substrate for a variety purposes, which can provide
benefits that may include minimizing or eliminating the visibility
or effect of seams between imprints. Various other advantages of
this section will be apparent upon reading this section.
[0131] It is further noted that this SECTION III has applicability
to and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the
remaining SECTIONS I, II, and IV-VI of this description, including
but not limited to any such sections that may involve the use of
patterned components. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, various aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION III
can readily be applied to implementations of SECTION V of this
description, which involves the use of a rolled laminate having a
pattern for making a rotatable mask.
[0132] In embodiments of the present invention, a small master mask
having a desired pattern can be used to inexpensively pattern a
large area substrate. A small master can be successively imprinted
onto a large area substrate using a polymer precursor liquid that
is polymerized or cured. An array of imprints is formed by the
successive imprinting scheme, where each successive imprint
overlaps part of a previous imprint so that there is no
un-patterned interstitial space. In this manner, the desired
pattern of the master is replicated generating a macroscopically
continuous pattern whose dimension is limited only by the size of
the substrate. The successive imprinting scheme results in a large
area substrate having a patterned layer or structured coating with
a nearly invisible boundary between the individual imprints, or
replicas, of the master.
[0133] In embodiments of the present invention, a method of
patterning a large area substrate can include imprinting the
substrate with a master mask having a pattern, wherein the pattern
has a smaller area than the substrate area to be patterned. The
method can further include successively repeating the imprinting
process until a desired area of the substrate is patterned. Each
successive imprint can include depositing a polymer precursor
liquid, pressing the polymer precursor liquid between the master
mask and the substrate, and polymerizing or curing the polymer
precursor liquid such that it becomes a solid material.
[0134] It is noted that in embodiments of the present invention,
substrates to be patterned can be a variety of shapes, sizes,
materials, etc., but should generally be larger than the master
mask used to successively imprint the substrate. Master masks can
also be a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, etc., and can have
patterns of a variety of shapes and sizes, but should generally be
smaller than the substrate area to be patterned. In embodiments of
the present invention, substrates to be patterned can have a
variety of characteristics and, for example, can be flexible,
rigid, flat or curved. Likewise, master masks can have a variety of
characteristics and, for example, can be flexible or rigid.
[0135] In embodiments of the present invention, desired patterns
can include features of a variety of different sizes, shapes, and
arrangements. A variety of physical or other properties can be
imparted to a substrate by using patterns having various features
depending on application specific requirements.
[0136] Turning to FIGS. 13A-13C, a master mask and a method of
fabricating a larger area substrate with a master mask are depicted
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0137] In FIG. 13A, master mask 1302 having pattern 1304 is
depicted, which can be used to imprint a larger area substrate by
repeatedly imprinting the larger area substrate with the master
mask 1302. While the master mask 1302 depicted in FIG. 13A is has a
circular shape, and its pattern 1304 covers a rectangular area of
the mask, it is noted that both the master mask 1302 and the master
pattern 1304 can be a variety of different shapes and sizes in
embodiments of the present invention, and the master pattern 1304
can cover all or part of the area of the master mask 1302. Master
pattern 1304 should correspond to the desired pattern for a large
area substrate, and can vary depending on various application
specific requirements. For example, the master pattern 1304 can
include a uniform array of posts or uniform array of holes as used
in many structured coating applications. It is noted that in
structured coating embodiments of the present invention, an array
of posts is preferred over an array of holes as experiments have
shown that a post array master pattern leads to a lower visibility
of seams at the boundaries of successive imprints. By way of
example FIGS. 13D and 13E provide a micrograph of an array of posts
formed in a photoresist by exposure to UV light through a pattern
in a cylindrical mask and developing the exposed resist.
[0138] FIG. 13B depicts a master mask 1302 used to imprint a larger
area substrate 1306. Master mask 1302 can be used to repeatedly
imprint a portion of the substrate 1306 until a desired area of the
substrate is patterned. Each successive imprint with the master
mask 1302 can overlap part of the previously imprinted portion 1308
of the substrate 1306, and the pattern of the imprint 1308 that is
left on the substrate 1306 corresponds to the mask pattern
1304.
[0139] FIG. 13C depicts an individual imprint during a successively
repeating imprint scheme according to embodiments of the present
invention. In FIG. 13C, it can be seen that a polymer precursor
liquid 1310 spreads as the liquid is pressed between a master mask
1302 and a substrate 1306. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, the polymer precursor liquid 1310 may be a monomer, a
polymer, a partially cross-linked polymer, or any mixture of
thereof. An imprinting scheme as depicted in FIGS. 13A-13C
according to embodiments of the present invention should preferably
include a method of controlling the spread of the polymer precursor
liquid in order to minimize the presence of air bubbles, fill the
features of the master pattern, and prevent the liquid from flowing
outside of the border of the mask pattern contained on the master
mask and onto an open area of a previously cured imprint. There are
a variety of methods that can be used to control the spread of the
polymer precursor liquid during each imprint. In the example shown
in FIG. 13C, controlling the spread of polymer precursor liquid
1310 includes maintaining a continuous line of pressure along a
line of contact 1312 between the master mask 1302 and the substrate
1306. Mechanical pressure can be applied along the contact line
1312 to force the spread of polymer precursor liquid 1310 towards
an open area of the substrate 1306 in the direction of pressure
1314 and maintain the liquid 1310 within the boundary of the master
pattern 1304. In some embodiments, maintaining a continuous line of
pressure can be better facilitated by using a flexible substrate
for substrate 1306, thereby creating a more clearly defined line of
contact 1312 between the master mask 1302 and the substrate 1306.
In other embodiments, maintaining a continuous line of pressure of
can be facilitated by using a flexible mask for master mask 1302.
In still other embodiments, maintaining a continuous line of
pressure can be facilitated by using a curved mask or curved
substrate for mask 1302 or substrate 1306, respectively. In still
other embodiments, the spread of polymer precursor liquid 1310 can
be controlled by other means.
[0140] Turning to FIGS. 14A-14G, a process flow of a method of
patterning a substrate is depicted according to an embodiment of
the present invention. In FIGS. 14A-14G, master mask 1402 is used
to pattern the substrate 1404, and master mask 1402 should be
smaller than substrate 1404. More specifically, the area of the
master pattern 1406 of the mask 1402 should be smaller than the
area to be patterned on the substrate 1404, and the master pattern
1406 should correspond to the desired pattern of the larger area
substrate 1404. Master mask 1402 is used to pattern the substrate
1404 by successively imprinting the substrate 1404 until it is
fully patterned, or at least until a desired area of the substrate
1404 is patterned.
[0141] In FIG. 14A, a polymer precursor liquid 1408 is deposited
onto a substrate 1404, and the polymer precursor liquid 1408
corresponds to the patterned layer or structured coating of the
large area substrate 1404. It is noted that polymer precursor
liquid 1408 can be deposited in a variety of ways. For example, in
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A-14G, polymer precursor liquid
1408 is deposited onto the substrate 1404 as discrete drops for
each successive imprint. In other embodiments, polymer precursor
liquid 1408 can be deposited onto the master mask 1402. In still
other embodiments, polymer precursor liquid 1408 can be deposited
continuously through the patterning process as opposed to discrete
drops before each imprint. It is noted that the material used for
polymer precursor liquid 1408 can vary depending on various
application specific requirements. The amount of polymer precursor
liquid 1408 that is deposited can vary depending of various
application specific requirements, including, for example, the
desired thickness of the layer, the size of the desired imprint
area, and the feature depth and pitch of the desired pattern to be
formed.
[0142] In FIG. 14B, polymer precursor liquid 1408 is pressed
between the master mask 1402 and the substrate 1404 in order to
transfer the master pattern 1406 to polymer precursor liquid 1408.
Pressing the polymer precursor liquid as shown in FIG. 14B
preferably should be done with care and using a method of
controlling the spread of the polymer precursor liquid in order to
minimize air bubbles, fill the features of the master pattern 1406,
and maintain the polymer precursor liquid 1408 within the area of
the master pattern 1406 during the imprint process. Controlling the
spread of the polymer precursor liquid can include, for example,
maintaining a continuous line of pressure as depicted in FIG. 13C
and described above. In FIG. 14A-14G, pressing the polymer
precursor liquid 1408 between the master mask 1402 and the
substrate 1404 is depicted as pressing the master mask 1402 against
the substrate 1404, but it is noted that the present invention is
not limited to such embodiments. In embodiments of the present
invention, pressing the polymer precursor liquid between the master
mask 1402 and the substrate 1404 can involve pressing the substrate
1404 against the master mask 1402. In other embodiments, pressing
the polymer precursor liquid 1408 between the master mask 1402 and
the substrate 1404 can be done by still other means, such as by
pressing both the master mask 1402 and the substrate 1404 against
each other simultaneously.
[0143] In FIG. 14C, the patterned polymer precursor liquid is cured
or polymerized using curing means 1410, which can be a source of UV
radiation, heat, or other equivalent means depending on the nature
of the polymer precursor liquid, specifically, the mechanism by
which the polymer precursor liquid can be cured or polymerized.
After the polymer precursor liquid is cured or polymerized, master
mask 1402 can be removed and a successive imprint can be
formed.
[0144] In FIG. 14D, a successive imprint is formed that overlaps
part of the previously imprinted and cured portion 1412 by again
depositing liquid polymer precursor liquid 1408. To minimize the
visibility of the border between successive imprints, part of the
polymer precursor liquid should be deposited onto part of the
previously imprinted portion 1412 of the substrate 1404, within the
area of where the master pattern 1406 will overlap the previously
imprinted portion, as depicted in FIG. 14D.
[0145] In FIG. 14E, the polymer precursor liquid 1408 is again
pressed between the master mask 1402 and the substrate 1404 to
transfer the master pattern 1406 onto the polymer precursor liquid
and imprint another portion of the substrate 1404. Care should be
taken to control the flow of the polymer precursor liquid 1408 and
prevent it from flowing onto a portion of the previously cured
portion 1412 of the substrate that is beyond the boundary of the
master pattern 1406.
[0146] In FIG. 14F, the polymer precursor liquid is again cured
using curing means 1410, after curing the master mask 1402 can be
removed, leaving behind a larger patterned portion 1412 on the
substrate 1404, as shown in FIG. 14G. This process can be
successively repeated until the substrate 1404 is fully patterned,
or until a desired area of the substrate 1404 is patterned.
[0147] After each portion of the substrate is imprinted, the
un-patterned area of the substrate 1404 may be cleaned as desired
by wet cleaning or dry cleaning processes. By way of example, wet
cleaning processes may include use of chemicals e.g., common
organic solvents such as acetone, physical removal of the particles
and/or plasma cleaning. The selective cleaning process of the
un-patterned area may require the use of shadow mask (not shown) to
prevent any damage of patterned area. To prevent any contaminations
or damages of the patterned area, the patterned area may optionally
be selectively treated with hydrophobic silane. In other words, the
patterned area may be made hydrophobic and the un-patterend area
may be made hydrophilic. By way of example, the cleaning process
may include hydrophobic surface treatment (of both the patterned
and un-patterned area) followed by plasma treatment of the
un-patterned area and the region of the patterned area that will be
overlapped during the next imprint.
[0148] In an additional embodiment a checkered board type pattern
of patterned and unpatented areas are generated on a substrate and
treated with hydrophobic silane. Then the substrate is plasma
treated using shadow mask so that only the unpattern surface of the
substrate and the surface where the new imprint is to be overlapped
are exposed to plasma. In the second step all the un-patterned area
of the substrate is then imprinted.
[0149] In FIGS. 15A-15C, a variety of patterned substrates
imprinted according to the methods described herein are depicted.
It is noted that embodiments of the present invention include
master mask and master patterns having a variety of different
shapes and sizes, and successive imprints can be arranged in a
variety of different arrays and arrangements. Likewise the larger
substrate that is patterned with the master mask can be a variety
of shapes, sizes, etc.
[0150] The embodiments shown in FIG. 15A-15C depict two dimensional
arrays and arrangements, although it is noted that the present
invention is not limited to such embodiments. Embodiments of the
present invention can include imprint schemes that involve two
dimensional arrays of successive imprints, one-dimensional arrays
of successive imprints, or other arrangements of successive
imprints in the imprinting scheme. However, it is noted that two
dimensional arrays and arrangements are preferred in some
embodiments of the present invention as it can minimize the
visibility of seams between successive imprints.
[0151] In FIG. 15A, a substrate 1502a patterned with a
two-dimensional rectangular array of successive imprints 1504a is
depicted. The pattern on the substrate 1502a can be virtually
continuous and uniform at the macro-level as the visibility of seam
lines 1506a at the borders between successive imprints is minimal.
In various applications of the present invention, the presence of
seam lines can have little to no effect on the desired functional
properties of the patterned or structured substrate.
[0152] In FIG. 15B, substrate 1502b is depicted having a
two-dimensional hexagonal array of successive imprints 1504b
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0153] In FIG. 15C, substrate 1502c is depicted having a randomized
two-dimensional arrangement of successive imprints 1504c creating
randomized seam lines 1506c between successive imprints.
Randomizing the imprints can provide certain benefits in some
applications of the present invention, and the visibility of the
seams 1506b can be minimized on the macro level by providing a
randomized pattern instead of a regular array. In FIG. 15C,
substrate 1502c depicted is fully patterned edge to edge, according
to some embodiments of the present invention, and amount of surface
area that can be pattern is limited only by the size of the
substrate chosen.
[0154] It is noted that increasing the amount of seam lines, up to
a certain limit, can minimize the visibility of such seam lines
while providing minimal or no detraction from desired properties
created by the pattern or structure imprinted onto the substrate.
For example, in an architectural glass implementation of an
embodiment of the present invention, a nanostructured coating can
be applied to provide antireflection properties on the glass using
an imprinting scheme as described herein. Increasing the number of
seam lines can minimize their visibility at the macro level while
still providing the required anti-reflection properties provided by
the nanostructure. This can be contrasted with known methods that
attempt to minimize seam lines by patterning the entire large area
with a single uniform layer at a very high cost.
[0155] In embodiments of the present invention, substrates to be
patterned can be a variety of shapes and sizes, but should
generally be larger than the master mask used to successively
imprint the substrate. In some embodiments, substrates to be
patterned can have square shapes, rectangular shapes, or other
shapes. In some embodiments, substrates can be flat, curved, or
have other three-dimensional surfaces. In some embodiments,
substrates can have dimensions of 150 mm.times.150 mm or greater.
In some embodiments, substrates to be patterned can have dimensions
of 400 mm.times.1000 min and larger. Embodiments of the present
invention can also include substrates having smaller areas than
those mentioned, although it is believed that embodiments of the
present invention have particular applicability to embodiments
involving larger area substrates, such as those having areas of 200
cm.sup.2 or more.
[0156] In embodiments of the present invention, master masks can be
a variety of shapes and sizes, and can have patterns of a variety
of shapes and sizes, but should generally be smaller than the
substrate area to be patterned. In some embodiments, master masks
can have dimensions of 10 mm to 50 mm and areas of 100 mm.sup.2 to
2500 mm.sup.2. In other embodiments, the master masks can have
dimensions and areas outside of those mentioned above, although it
is noted that preferred embodiments include square masks having
dimensions of 10 mm.times.10 mm to 50 mm.times.50 mm. In some
embodiments, master masks can have circular shapes, rectangular
shapes, or other shapes. In some embodiments, a master pattern can
cover an entire surface of a master mask or part of a surface of a
master mask.
[0157] In embodiments of the present invention, desired patterns
can include features of a variety of different sizes, shapes, and
arrangements. In some embodiments, desired patterns can include
micro-scale features, nano-scale features, or other scale features.
In some embodiments, features can include features having
dimensions in the range of 100 nm to 400 nm. In some embodiments,
features can be shaped as holes, posts, or other shapes. In some
embodiments, features can be arranged in a regular array or a
randomized pattern.
[0158] It is noted that the figures are primarily depicted with
respect to flat substrates and patterning flat surfaces, but the
present invention is not so limited. Embodiments of the present
invention can be used to pattern curved surfaces or substrates
having a variety of other shapes but successively imprinting such
surfaces with a smaller area master mask as described herein.
[0159] It is noted that embodiments of the present invention can be
used to pattern very large area substrates with patterns having
small feature dimensions on the micro-scale or nano-scale. More
specifically, embodiments of the present invention can be used to
provide nanostructured coatings on large surface areas having
nano-scaled feature dimensions. More specifically, embodiments of
the present invention can be used to provide nanostructured
coatings have arrays of features, e.g., posts or holes, having a
characteristic dimension (CD) of 1 nanometers (nm) to 1000 nm, a
pitch of 1.1 times the CD to 10 times the CD, and a depth of 10 nm
to 10000 nm. A preferred embodiment of the present invention
includes a CD between 50 nm and 400 nm, a pitch of 2 times the CD,
and a depth ranging from 100 nm to 1000 nm. The CD is generally a
dimension of the features along a direction perpendicular to the
depth. Examples of CD include a width or diameter for circular or
nearly circular shaped features.
[0160] In embodiments of the present invention, the master mask
pattern can be created by a variety of methods. For example, the
master mask can be patterned by electron beam lithography,
photolithography, interference lithography, nanosphere lithography,
nanoimprint lithography, self-assembly, anodic alumina oxidation,
or other means.
[0161] It is noted that substrates in embodiments of the present
invention can be a variety of types of materials and types of
substrates. For example, substrates can be made of plastic films,
glass, semiconductors, metals, other smooth substrates, or other
materials.
[0162] It is noted that substrates patterned according to
embodiments of the present invention can include a surfaces for a
variety of different applications. For example, embodiments of the
present invention can be used for solar panels, information
displays, architectural glass, and a variety of other applications.
For example, embodiments of the present invention can be used for
nanostructured solar cells, light absorption enhancement layers,
anti-reflective coatings, self-cleaning coatings, TCO for solar
cells and displays, nanostructured thermoelectric cells, low-E
glass, anti-icing coatings, anti-glare coatings, efficient display
color filters, FPD wire grid polarizers, LED light extraction
layers, nanopatterned magnetic media, nanopatterned water
filtration media, nanoparticles for drug deliver, ultrasensitive
sensors, nanoelectrodes for batteries, and other applications. It
is also noted that patterned substrates according to embodiments of
the present invention can be used as large masks that are
themselves used to pattern other large surfaces such as those
mentioned above.
[0163] It is noted that uniform patterns are typically used in
various structured coating applications. While using successive
imprints as described herein may create non-uniformities at the
borders between imprints, the entire area patterned can appear
macroscopically continuous and desired properties imparted by the
pattern will be unaffected or very minimally affected by the
borders.
[0164] It is also noted that while embodiments of the present
invention have primarily been described with respect to
two-dimensional arrays of imprints, the present invention is not
limited to such embodiments. For example, embodiments of the
present invention can include one dimensional arrays of imprints
and other imprinting schemes that involve imprints that repeats in
only one dimension. However, it is noted that two dimensional
arrays and imprinting schemes that repeat in two dimensions are
preferred as this minimizes this visibility of the borders between
imprints.
IV. Patterning a Surface of a Casting Component
[0165] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION IV include methods
and apparatus for patterning a surface of a casting component,
including various exposure and epitaxial techniques. Various other
methods and apparatus are also included in this section. Patterning
a casting surface in accordance with aspects of this section can be
used conjunction with a casting process of a compliant layer for a
rotatable mask, which can provide benefits that may include
minimizing or eliminating any seams in the pattern of the rotatable
mask. Various other advantages of this section will be apparent
upon reading this section.
[0166] It is further noted that this SECTION IV has applicability
to and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the
remaining SECTIONS I-III, V, and VI of this description, including
but not limited to any such sections that may involve the use of
patterned casting components. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, various aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION IV
can readily be applied to implementations of SECTION VI of this
description, which involves the use of a patterned casting
component for forming a multilayered rotatable mask.
[0167] Aspects of the present disclosure describe a mold and
methods for manufacturing molds that may be useful in the
fabrication of lithography masks, for example, near-field optical
lithography masks for "Rolling mask" lithography, or masks for
nanoimprint lithography. In rolling mask lithography, a cylindrical
mask is coated with a polymer, which is patterned with desired
features in order to obtain a mask for phase-shift lithography or
plasmonic printing. The features that are patterned into the
polymer may be patterned through the use of the molds described in
the present application. The molds may include patterned features
that protrude from an interior surface of an optically transparent
cylinder. The protruding features may range in size from about 1
nanometer to about 100 microns, preferably from about 10 nanometers
to about 1 micron, more preferably from about 50 nanometers to
about 500 nanometers. The mask can be used to print features
ranging in size from about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers,
preferably about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers, more
preferably about 50 nanometers to about 200 nanometer
[0168] An aspect of the present disclosure describes a mold that
may be made with a porous mask. A layer of structured porous
material may be deposited or grown on an interior surface of an
optically transparent cylinder. One example of grown porous
material is a porous alumina fabricated using anodization of
aluminum layer (Anodized Aluminum Oxide--AAO). The interior of the
cylinder may then be coated with a radiation-sensitive material.
The radiation-sensitive material will fill in the pores that are
formed in the structured porous material. The radiation-sensitive
material may then be developed by exposing the exterior of the
cylinder with a light source. Exposure from the exterior allows the
radiation-sensitive material that has filled the pores to be cured
without curing the remaining resist. The uncured resist and the
porous mask material may be removed, thereby forming a mold that
has posts extruding from its interior surface.
[0169] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
an epitaxial layer may be grown on the interior surface of the
cylinder. Structured porous material may then be deposited or
otherwise formed on the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer may
then be grown using the pores in the porous layer as a guide. The
epitaxial layer may be grown to a thickness greater than the
structured porous layer, or the structured porous layer may be
etched back to leave the epitaxial post behind. According to
certain aspects of the present disclosure, the epitaxial material
may be a semiconductor material. Each of the epitaxial posts may be
configured to be a light emitting diode (LED). The LED posts may
further be configured to be individually addressable such that
radiation may be selectively produced by individual posts.
[0170] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
the mold may be formed with a self-assembled monolayer of
nanospheres. The monolayer may be formed over a layer of
radiation-sensitive material that has been formed on the interior
surface of a cylinder. The radiation-sensitive material may then be
exposed by a light source located in the interior of the cylinder.
The self-assembled monolayer masks portions of the
radiation-sensitive material during exposure. The exposed regions
may then be removed by a developer. The radiation-sensitive
material that was shielded by the self-assembled monolayer may then
be cured and in order to form posts that are made from a glass-like
substance.
[0171] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
a self-assembled monolayer of nanospheres formed may comprise
quantum dots. The quantum dots may be formed over a layer of
radiation-sensitive material that has been formed on the interior
surface of a cylinder. The quantum dots may be used to expose the
radiation-sensitive material directly below each dot. As such,
there may be no need for an external light source. The developer
may then remove the unexposed portions of the radiation-sensitive
material. The exposed portions of the radiation-sensitive material
may then be cured to form a glass-like substance.
[0172] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
a self-assembled monolayer of nanospheres may be formed on the
exterior surface of the cylinder and a radiation-sensitive material
may be formed on the interior surface of the cylinder. A light
source positioned outside of the cylinder may be used to produce
the radiation that exposes the radiation-sensitive material. The
nanospheres may mask portions of the radiation-sensitive material
from the radiation. The exposed portions may be removed with a
developer, thereby leaving behind posts. The posts may be cured to
produce a glass-like material.
[0173] According to an additional embodiment of the present
invention the self-assembled monolayer may comprise quantum dots.
The quantum dots may be formed on an exterior surface of a
cylinder. The quantum dots may be used to expose portions of a
radiation-sensitive material that has be formed on an interior
surface of the cylinder. As such, there may be no need for an
external light source. The developer may then remove the unexposed
portions of the radiation-sensitive material. The exposed portions
of the radiation-sensitive material may then be cured to form a
glass-like substance. The radiation-sensitive material that has
been formed on the interior surface of a cylinder.
[0174] A "Rolling mask" near-field nanolithography system has been
described in International Patent Application Publication Number
WO2009094009, which has been incorporated herein by reference. One
of the embodiments is shown in FIG. 7. The "rolling mask" consists
of glass (e.g., fused silica) frame in the shape of hollow cylinder
711, which contains a light source 712. An elastomeric film 713
laminated on the outer surface of the cylinder 711 has a
nanopattern 714 fabricated in accordance with the desired pattern.
The rolling mask is brought into a contact with a substrate 715
coated with radiation-sensitive material 716.
[0175] A nanopattern 714 can be designed to implement phase-shift
exposure, and in such case is fabricated as an array of
nanogrooves, posts or columns, or may contain features of arbitrary
shape. Alternatively, nanopattern can be fabricated as an array or
pattern of nanometallic islands for plasmonic printing. The
nanopattern on the rolling mask can have features ranging in size
from about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns, preferably from about
10 nanometers to about 1 micron, more preferably from about 50
nanometers to about 500 nanometers. The rolling mask can be used to
print features ranging in size from about 1 nanometer to about 1000
nanometers, preferably about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers,
more preferably about 50 nanometers to about 200 nanometers.
[0176] The nanopattern 714 on the cylinder 711 may be manufactured
with the use of a master mold. Aspects of the present disclosure
describe the master methods and methods for forming a mold that has
features that will form a nanopattern 714 that has holes or
depressions. In order to form holes or depressions in the rolling
mask, the master mold may have protrusions, such as posts.
[0177] FIG. 16 is an overhead view of a master mold 1600 according
to an aspect of the present disclosure. The master mold 1600 is a
hollow cylinder 1620 that has an exterior surface 1621 and an
interior surface 1622. The cylinder 1620 may be made from a
material that is transparent to radiation that is in the visible
and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. By way of example, and not by way
of limitation, the cylinder may be a glass such as fused silica.
The master mold 1600 has protrusions 1633 that extend outwards from
the interior surface 1622.
[0178] FIGS. 17A-17G are cross sectional views of the master mold
1600 as seen along the line 3-3 shown in FIG. 16. Each figure
depicts a processing step used in the fabrication of the master
mold 1600 according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0179] FIG. 17A is a depiction of the master mold after a
structured porous layer 1730 on an interior surface of the cylinder
1720. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the,
cylinder 1720 may be made of a transparent material, such as fused
silica. It is noted that fused silica is commonly referred to as
"quartz" by those in the semiconductor fabrication industry.
Although quartz is common parlance, "fused silica" is a better
term. Technically, quartz is crystalline and fused silica is
amorphous. The structured porous layer 1730 contains a high density
of cylindrical pores 1729 that are aligned perpendicular to the
surface on which the structured porous layer is disposed. The size
and density of the pores 1729 may be in any range suitable for the
desired features of the mask pattern, e.g., as discussed above with
respect to FIG. 16. By way of Example and not by way of limitation,
the nanostructured porous layer 1730 may be a layer of anodic
aluminum oxide (AAO) that has been formed on an interior surface
1722 of the cylinder 1720. AAO is a self-organized nanostructured
material containing a high density of cylindrical pores that are
aligned perpendicular to the surface on which the AAO layer is
disposed. The AAO may be formed by depositing a layer of aluminum
on the interior surface 1722 of a cylinder 1720 made of fused
silica and then anodizing the aluminum layer. Alternatively, the
cylinder 1720 may be made completely from aluminum, and then
internal or external surfaces of such a cylinder could be anodized
to form a porous surface. Anodizing the aluminum layer may be done
by passing an electric current through an electrolyte (often an
acid) with the aluminum layer acting as a positive electrode
(anode).
[0180] In alternative implementations, the nanostructured porous
layer may be fabricated using a self-assembled monolayer or by
direct writing techniques, such as laser ablation or ion beam
lithography.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 17A, the pores 1729 may not penetrate
through the entire depth of the layer 1730. If the pores 1729 do
not extend through the structured porous layer 1730 down to the
interior surface 1722 of the cylinder, the material of the
structured porous layer may be etched back with an etch process. If
the etch process is isotropic, the original size of the pores 1729
must be made small enough to account for growth during the etching
process. For example, if the final diameter of the pores is desired
to be 300 nm, and the original diameter of the pores 1729 is 50 nm,
then the isotropic etch must remove 125 nm of porous material in
order to enlarge the diameter of the pores 1729 to 300 nm.
Additionally, if the etch process is isotropic, only 125 nm of
material may be removed from the bottom of the pore in order to
extend the pore to the interior surface 1722 of the cylinder. If
more material needs to be removed in order to reach the interior
surface 1722, then the diameter of the pores 1729 may become larger
than desired. FIG. 17B depicts the enlarged pores 1729 that
completely extend through the nanostructured porous layer 1730.
[0182] After the pores 1729 have been etched to the proper
dimensions and depths, a radiation-sensitive material 1731 may be
deposited over the nanostructured porous layer 1730 and the exposed
portions of the interior surface 1722, as shown in FIG. 17C. By way
of example, and not by way of limitation, the radiation-sensitive
material 1731 may be deposited by dipping, spraying, rolling, or
any combination thereof. By way of example, and not by way of
limitation, the radiation-sensitive material 1731 may be a
photoresist or a UV curable polymer. Examples of suitable
photoresists include commercially available formulations such as
TOK iP4300 or Shipley 1800 series from Dow Chemical Co. Examples of
suitable UV-curable materials include UV polymerizable adhesives
for polymers and glass. Additionally, the radiation-sensitive
material 1731 contains silicon and other constituents that enable
the material to be annealed after it has cured in order to produce
a glass-like material. Other constituents that may be used to help
form the glass-like material include Oxygen and Silicon. The
radiation-sensitive material 1731 may be a solid film, or it may be
a liquid layer as long as it does not flow excessively during
exposure.
[0183] Next, FIG. 17D shows the cured material 1732 in the pores
1729. The radiation-sensitive material 1731 is cured by exposure to
a radiation 1723 from a radiation source (not shown). By way of
example, and not by way of limitation, the radiation 1723 may be
produced by a radiation source that produces ultraviolet light or
the radiation 1723 may be produced by a radiation source that
produces light in the visible spectrum. The radiation source may be
located outside of the cylinder and may emit radiation 1723 that
passes through the wall of the cylinder 1720. The illumination
through the cylinder 1720 limits the exposure to the material 1731
deposited in the AAO pores 1729. Additionally, the exposure cures
the material 1731 to a depth of roughly twice the exposure
wavelength. By way of example, when an ultraviolet wavelength is
used for curing, then the cured material 1732 may have a thickness
of approximately 600 nm. The curing sensitivity of the
radiation-sensitive material 1731 must be sufficiently high to
allow the radiation-sensitive material inside the pores 1729 to be
cured before the material 1731 above the pores 1729 is cured. Also,
the depth of the pores 1729 may be greater than the projected
thickness of the cured material 1732 in order to prevent exposure
of the radiation-sensitive material 1731 directly above the pores
1729.
[0184] FIG. 17E shows the master mold 1700 after the excess
radiation-sensitive material has been removed after the cured
material 1732 has been formed. The remaining unexposed
radiation-sensitive material 1721 may be removed with a developer
or other solvent. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17F, the cured
material 1732 is annealed in order to form a glass-like material
1733. Finally, once the annealing is completed, the AAO layer 1730
may be selectively etched away with a wet etching process. FIG. 17G
depicts the final structure of the master mold 1700. The glass-like
material 1733 protrudes from the interior surface 1722 of the
cylinder 1720.
[0185] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
the protrusions may be formed through an epitaxial growth process.
FIG. 18A is an overhead view of a master mold 1800. The master mold
1800 is a hollow cylinder 1820 that has an exterior surface 1821
and an interior surface 1822. The cylinder 1820 may be made from a
material that is transparent to radiation that is in the visible
and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. By way of example, and not by way
of limitation, the cylinder may be a glass such as fused silica. An
epitaxial seed layer 1824 may be formed on the interior surface
1822. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
epitaxial seed layer 1824 may be a semiconductor material such as
silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs). The master mold 1800 has
protrusions 1833 that extend outwards from the epitaxial seed layer
1824. The protrusions may be the same material as the epitaxial
seed layer 1824. FIGS. 18B-18D are cross-sectional views of the
master mold 1800 along the line 4-4.
[0186] FIG. 18B is a depiction of a structured porous layer 1830
that is deposited over the epitaxial seed layer 1824. As shown in
FIG. 18B, the pores 1829 might not penetrate through the entire
depth of the structured porous layer 1830.
[0187] When the pores 1829 do not extend through the structured
porous layer 1830 down to the epitaxial seed layer 1824, then the
structured porous layer material may be etched back with an etch
process. If the etch process is isotropic, the original size of the
pores 1829 must be made small enough to account for growth during
the etching process. For example, if the final diameter of the
pores is desired to be 300 nm, and the original diameter of the
pores 1829 is 50 nm, then the isotropic etch must remove 125 nm of
aluminum in order to enlarge the diameter of the pores 1829 to 300
nm. Additionally, if the etchant is an isotropic etchant, only 125
nm of material may be removed from the bottom of the pore in order
to extend the pore to the epitaxial seed layer 1824. If more
material needs to be removed in order to reach the epitaxial seed
layer 1824, then the diameter of the pores 1829 may become larger
than desired. FIG. 18C depicts the enlarged pores 1829 that
completely extend through the structured porous layer 1830.
[0188] Once the pores 1829 have been completed, the protrusions
1833 may be formed with an epitaxial growth process, such as, but
not limited to vapor-phase epitaxy (VPE). The growth of the
protrusions 1833 is guided by the pores 1829 in the structured
porous layer 1830. The protrusions 1833 may be grown to a height
that allows them to protrude beyond the structured porous layer
1830. However, the protrusions 1833 may be shorter than the
structured porous layer 1830, if the structured porous layer will
be subsequently etched back in order to expose the protrusions
1833.
[0189] According to aspects of the present disclosure, protrusion
1833 formed through epitaxial growth of a semiconductor material
may further be configured to be LEDs. Each of the protrusions 1833
may be individually addressable such that each may be controlled to
emit light as desired. This is beneficial for use as a master mold,
because the molding process no longer requires an external light
source. The protrusions 1833 may function as a physical mold, and
may be used to cure the photomask that is being molded at the same
time. Further, the ability to control individual protrusions allows
for a single master mold to be utilized in order to form multiple
different patterns by selecting which protrusions will also cure
the material in the photomask.
[0190] According to yet another additional aspect of the present
disclosure, a self-assembled monolayer may be used as a mask to
pattern the protrusions 1933 in a master mold 1900. FIGS. 19A-19C
are cross-sectional views of a master mold 1900 at different
processing steps during the mold's fabrication. FIG. 19A depicts
the formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) 1940 formed over
a radiation-sensitive material 1931 on the interior surface 1922 of
the cylinder 1920. By way of example, and not by way of limitation,
the SAM 1940 may be formed from metal nanospheres, or quantum dots.
By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
radiation-sensitive material 1931 may be photoresist or a UV
curable polymer. Additionally, the radiation-sensitive material
1931 contains silicon and other constituents that enable the
material to be annealed in order to produce a glass-like
material.
[0191] Next, at FIG. 19B, the radiation-sensitive material 1931 is
exposed with radiation 1923 from a radiation source (not shown).
Plasmonic lithography may be utilized, e.g., if the SAM 1940
comprises metal nanospheres. The metal nanospheres may be used as
plasmonic mask antennae. The portions of the radiation-sensitive
material 1931 that are exposed to radiation may become soluble to a
developer solvent used to develop the radiation-sensitive material.
The portion of the radiation-sensitive material that is unexposed
1932 may remain insoluble to the developer solvent. It is noted
that alternative aspects of the present disclosure include use of a
reverse tone process in which portions of the radiation-sensitive
material 1931 that are exposed to radiation become insoluble to a
developer and portions of the radiation-sensitive material that are
not so exposed remain soluble to the developer. Alternative aspects
of the present disclosure where the SAM 1940 comprises quantum dots
may not need an additional light source to expose the
radiation-sensitive material 1931. As shown in FIG. 19B' the
quantum dots in the SAM 1940 may be activated in order to expose
the radiation-sensitive material 1931. When the exposure is made by
the quantum dots, the radiation-sensitive material may be cured by
the exposure. The non-exposed portions of the radiation-sensitive
material 1931 may therefore be removed by the developer. Finally,
in FIG. 19C the protrusions 1933 are annealed in order to convert
the cured radiation-sensitive material 1932 into glass-like
material.
[0192] Alternative aspects of the present disclosure include
implementations in which the mask itself is made with light
emitting diodes (LEDs). Such a mask may be implemented, e.g., using
a polymer mask with an array of holes smaller than features that
are desired to be printed, with a corresponding layer of LEDs above
it. A specific subset of the LEDs may be turned on to define the
pattern to be printed.
[0193] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure,
a SAM 2040 may be formed on the exterior surface 2021 of the
cylinder 2020 as show in FIG. 20A. The SAM 2040 may be
substantially similar to the SAM 1940. The formation of a SAM 2040
on the exterior surface allows for the light used for the exposure
to originate from outside of the cylinder 2020 as shown in FIG.
20B. In FIG. 20B, the radiation-sensitive material 2031 may be
exposed with radiation 2023 that is emitted by a radiation source
(not shown) that is located outside of the cylinder 2020.
Alternatively, if the SAM 2040 comprises quantum dots, then the
radiation source that produces the radiation 2023 may be omitted,
and the quantum dots may be used to expose the radiation-sensitive
material 2031 instead, as shown in FIG. 20B'. Finally, FIG. 20C
shows the removal of the non-exposed radiation-sensitive material,
and the annealing of the protrusions 2033 to form the glass-like
material.
V. Forming a Rotatable Mask Using a Rolled Laminate
[0194] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION V include methods
and apparatus for forming a rotatable mask using a rolled laminate.
Various other methods and apparatus are also included in this
section. Forming a rotatable mask in accordance with aspects of
this section can be used to form a compliant layer for a rotatable
mask, which can provide benefits that may include minimizing or
eliminating any seams layer where the edges of the laminate meet.
There may be various other advantages to implementations of this
section.
[0195] It is further noted that this SECTION V has applicability to
and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the remaining
SECTIONS I-IV and VI of this description, including but not limited
to any such sections that may involve a compliant layer rolled onto
the outer surface of a rotatable substrate. By way of example and
not by way of limitation, various aspects of the disclosure of this
SECTION V can readily be applied to implementations of SECTION I of
this description, which involves the use of coaxial assemblies to
form a cast a compliant layer.
[0196] A process flow diagram depicting a method 2100 for
fabricating a free standing polymer mask according to various
aspects of the present disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 21A-21G.
Various steps in the process flow FIGS. 21A-21G may be performed in
accordance with various aspects of the above description for
forming a free standing polymer mask.
[0197] The method 2100 may include first making a patterned master
mold/mask 2112 (alternatively referred to herein as a first master
mask or "submaster" mask because it may be a mask used to pattern
to a main rotatable mask for a subsequent fabrication process), as
depicted in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The patterned submaster may be
created by patterning a substrate 2105 to create the pattern 2110
on the submaster 2112. Patterning the submaster mask may be
accomplished in a variety of ways. In some implementations,
patterning the substrate to create a submaster mask utilizes
involves successively overlapping cured imprints on a substrate
2105 with a smaller mask to create a quasi-seamless pattern 2110
for the submaster mask, according to various aspects of the
disclosure of SECTION III of this description. In yet further
implementations, the submaster may be patterned using any of a
variety of known techniques, such as, e.g., nanoimprint
lithography, nanocontact printing, photolithography, etc.
[0198] The method 2100 may further include casting an elastomeric
material 2115 (alternatively referred to herein as a polymer
precursor liquid or liquid polymer precursor), such as
polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), on a patterned area of the submaster
mold 2112, as depicted in FIG. 21C. Casting the elastomeric
material 2115 may include depositing a polymer precursor liquid on
the submaster and curing the polymer precursor liquid to create a
cured polymer. Accordingly, aspects of the pattern of the submaster
2112 may be transferred to the elastomeric material 2115 to form a
patterned polymer mask upon curing. The elastomeric material 2115
may be cast in such a manner that a strip 2120 of the patterned
submaster 2112 does not have elastomeric material 2115 cast
thereon. In some implementations, this may be accomplished by
removing or cutting off a strip of the cast material 2115 after it
is cured. In yet further implementations, this may be accomplished
by simply not casting the elastomeric material or not depositing
the polymer precursor liquid on a portion of the patterned
submaster. In yet further implementations, this may be accomplished
by some combination of the above. The uncast strip portion 2120 of
the patterned submaster 2112 may be at an end of the submaster to
enable it to overlap an opposing end of the laminate upon being
rolled inside of a casting component.
[0199] Next, a strip 2125 may be removed from the submaster of the
laminate created by the previous steps, as depicted in FIG. 21D, in
such a manner that the missing strip portion 2120 of the cured
polymer 2115 and the missing strip portion 2125 of the patterned
submaster 2112 are in staggered locations with respect to one
another. The strip 2125 that is removed from the patterned
submaster may be at an opposing end of the laminate with respect to
the missing strip 2120 of the cured polymer, thereby enabling the
laminate to be rolled with these strip portions overlapping one
another. In some implementations, a strip 2125 of the patterned
submaster 2112 may be removed before a strip 2120 of the cast
elastomeric material is removed.
[0200] As in FIG. 21E, the laminate of the submaster 2112 and the
cast polymer 2115 may then be rolled and placed in a casting
cylinder 2130, with the unpatterned surface of the substrate 2105
of the submaster 2112 in contact with the inner surface of the
casting cylinder 2130. Accordingly, the outer surface of the
laminate may be adjacent to the inner surface of the casting
cylinder 2130 when it is rolled. In some implementations, the
casting cylinder 2130 into which the laminate is rolled is a
sacrificial casting component and utilizes various aspects of the
disclosure of SECTION II of this description.
[0201] Rather than rolling the laminate inside of a sacrificial
casting cylinder 2130 with the unpatterned surface of the substrate
2105 in contact with the inner surface of the casting cylinder
2130, in some implementations the laminate is rolled around a
sacrificial casting cylinder, with the unpatterned surface of the
substrate of the submaster in contact with the outer surface of the
sacrificial casting cylinder, according to various aspects of the
disclosure of SECTION II of this description.
[0202] A gap 2120 may be formed in the polymer mask 2115 along the
length of the cylinder, which may correspond to the strip 2120 of
removed/uncast elastomeric material 2115. A patterned portion of
the submaster mold 2112 under the polymer mask 2115 may be exposed
from the gap 2120 and extend across the gap 2120. The staggered
locations of the removed/missing strip portions of the laminate
enable it to be rolled in such a manner that the gap 2120 is
exposed to a patterned portion of the submaster 2112, but without
another seam being formed at the boundary between opposing ends of
the rolled laminate due to the overlapped portions.
[0203] As in FIG. 21F, the gap 2120 may then be filled with more
liquid elastomeric material (i.e. more polymer precursor liquid) to
fill in the gap 2120 in the cured polymer 2115. As such, the
pattern on the submaster mold 2112 may transferred to the added
elastometric material upon curing to thereby fill in the seam and
form a substantially seamless polymer mask pattern. In some
implementations, the filling in the gap may utilize various aspects
of the disclosure of SECTION I. For example, in some
implementations coaxial cylinders may be assembled using an
assembly apparatus that enables liquid polymer precursor to be
poured into the gap.
[0204] After curing, the casting cylinder 2130 can be removed from
the laminate of the submaster mold 2112 and the polymer mask 2115
having the gap 2120 filled in. The polymer mask 2115 may also be
separated from the submaster mold 2112, yielding a free standing
polymer mask having a substantially seamless pattern 2140 on its
outer surface, such as depicted in FIG. 21F.
[0205] In some implementations, the cast elastomeric material is
PDMS with a thickness in a range from about 1 mm to about 3 mm, to
thereby produce a cylindrical mask having a compliant layer 1-3 mm
thick.
[0206] In some implementations, the submaster may have a PET film
substrate, and the pattern may be formed thereon using a UV-cured
polymer.
[0207] Some implementations of the present disclosure can include a
free standing polymer mask and a method for fabricating the
same.
[0208] In some implementations, the method includes first making a
patterned master mold (a patterned master mold may alternatively be
referred to herein as a master mask). Next, an elastomeric
material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is cast on the
patterned area of the master mold to form a patterned polymer mask
upon curing (elastomeric material may be alternatively referred to
herein as polymer, pre-polymer, polymer precursor, or polymer
precursor liquid). The polymer mask is configured to have a missing
portion at an end of the master mask mold, wherein a portion of the
end of the polymer mask may be cutoff or the elastomeric material
may not be cast on a strip at the end of the master mold. The
laminate of the mask mold and the polymer mask is then rolled and
placed in a casting cylinder in a way that the substrate to the
master mold is in contact with the casting cylinder. A gap is
formed in the polymer mask along the length of the cylinder,
wherein the gap corresponds to the missing portion of the cured
polymer mask, and the master mold under the polymer mask is exposed
from the gap and extends across the gap. The gap is then filled
with additional liquid elastomeric material. As such, the pattern
on the master mold is transferred to the added elastometric
material upon curing, thereby filling in a seam in the polymer mask
pattern. After curing, the laminate of the master mold and the
polymer mask can be removed from the casting cylinder and the
polymer mask may be in turn separated from the master mold,
yielding a free standing polymer mask.
[0209] FIG. 22A is an overhead view of a cylindrical master mold
assembly 2230 that can be used to form a polymer mask according to
various aspects of the present disclosure. The cylindrical master
mold assembly 2230 includes a casting cylinder 2232, a master mold
2234 and a patterned polymer mask 2236 with a gap 2237 along the
length of the cylinder. FIG. 22B is a perspective view of a
cylindrical master mold assembly shown in FIG. 22A.
[0210] The patterned mask 2236 may be patterned with a mask pattern
in a variety of ways. In one example, the inner surface of the
master mold may contain a mask pattern so that this pattern is
transferred to the outer surface of the polymer mask. As another
example, the polymer mask may be patterned after subsequent
fabrication steps and removal of the casting cylinder by patterning
the outer surface of the polymer using various lithography methods.
As another example, the pattern may also be patterned by some
combination above.
[0211] Once the substrate of the master mold 2234 is patterned, an
elastomeric material may be cast on the patterned area of the mold
2234. In some implementations, the elastomeric material may be
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), such as Sylgard 184 of Dow
Corning.TM., h-PDMS, soft-PDMS gel, etc. The elastomeric material
may be deposited in accordance with any of a number of known
methods. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the
elastomeric material may be deposited by dipping, ultrasonic
spraying, microjet or inkjet type dispensing, and possibly dipping
combined with spinning After the curing process, the polymer, such
as PDMS, is cured to form a patterned polymer mask 2236 on the
master mold 2234. Curing the polymer may depend on the type of
polymer being cured and other factors. For example, curing can be
done thermally, with UV radiation, or other means.
[0212] The laminate of the master mold 2234 and the polymer mask
2236 is rolled and coaxially inserted into a casting cylinder 2232
in a way that the substrate to the master mold 2234 is in contact
with the casting cylinder 2232 (i.e. the outer surface of the
laminate is adjacent to the inner surface of the casting cylinder).
Since a portion of one end of the polymer mask 2236 is missing, a
gap 2237 is formed in the polymer mask along the length of cylinder
2232, and the underneath master mold is exposed from the gap and
extends across the gap. A strip 2239 of the master mold 2234 (i.e.
the patterned substrate) can also be removed from the laminate at a
staggered location relative to the gap 2237 so that the laminate
can be rolled inside of the cylinder 2232 without a seam. The
missing strips 2237, 2239 of the laminate may be at opposite ends
of the laminate to allow the laminate to be rolled with the ends of
the laminate overlapping each other as depicted in FIGS.
22A-22B.
[0213] The casting cylinder 2232 should be able to be removed after
the cylindrical master mold assembly of the present disclosure is
formed. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the casting
cylinder 2232 may be a thin walled cylinder that is formed from a
material that is easily fractured. By way of example, and not by
way of limitation, the material may be glass, sugar, or an aromatic
hydrocarbon resin, such as Piccotex.TM. or an aromatic styrene
hydrocarbon resin, such as Piccolastic.TM.. Piccotex.TM. and
Piccolastic.TM. are trademarks of Eastman Chemical Company of
Kingsport, Tenn. By way of example, and not by way of limitation,
the casting cylinder 2232 may be approximately 1 to 10 mm thick, or
in any thickness range encompassed therein, e.g., 2 to 4 mm thick.
As shown in FIG. 22A, the polymer mask 2236 is not in contact with
the casting cylinder 2232, and therefore the nanopattern on the
polymer mask is protected from damage during the removal. According
to additional aspects of the present disclosure, the casting
cylinder 2232 may be made from a material that is dissolved by a
solvent that does not harm the polymer mask 2236. By way of
example, a suitable dissolvable material may be a sugar based
material and the solvent may be water. Dissolving the casting
cylinder 2232 instead of fracturing may provide additional
protection to the nanopattern.
[0214] According to yet additional aspects of the present
disclosure, the casting cylinder 2232 may be a thin walled sealed
cylinder made from malleable material such as plastic or aluminum.
Instead of fracturing the casting cylinder 2232, the sealed
component may be removed by collapsing the component by evacuating
the air from inside the cylinder. According to yet another aspect
of the present disclosure, the casting component 2232 may be a
pneumatic cylinder made of an elastic material. Examples of elastic
materials that may be suitable for a pneumatic cylinder include,
but are not limited to plastic, polyethylene,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is sold under the name
Teflon.RTM., which is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. During the molding process,
the casting cylinder 2232 may be inflated to form a cylinder and
once the polymer mask 2236 has cured, the casting cylinder 2232 may
be deflated in order to be removed without damaging the polymer
mask. In some implementations, such a pneumatic cylinder may be
reusable or disposable depending, e.g., on whether it is relatively
inexpensive to make and easy to clean.
[0215] Next, the gap 2237 in the polymer mask 2236 along the length
of the cylinder is filled with polymer, such as liquid PDMS. During
the curing process, the pattern on the master mold 2234 is
transferred to the added polymer. As such, a cylindrical master
mold assembly 2230 of FIGS. 22A-22B may be formed.
[0216] Curing the liquid polymer may involve applying UV radiation,
heat or other means. As an example of applying radiation, the
radiation source may be located co-axially within the master mold
assembly 2230. Alternatively, the radiation source may be located
outside of the master mold assembly 2230 and the exposure may be
made through the casting cylinder 2232 and the master mold 2234
when the casting cylinder 2232 and the master mold 2234 are
transparent to the wavelengths of radiation required to cure the
liquid polymer.
[0217] The laminate of the master mold 2234 and the patterned
polymer mask 2236 may be thereafter removed from the casting
cylinder 2232. Removing the casting cylinder may be performed in a
variety of ways. By way of example, and not by way of limitation,
the casting component 2232 may be removed by fracturing,
dissolving, deflating, or collapsing. By way of example, and not by
way of limitation, the casting cylinder can be cut using a saw, a
laser, wet or drying etching, or other means. When cutting the
casting cylinder, care should be taken not to damage the layer/mask
underneath. If a laser is used to cut the casting cylinder, a
special layer could be deposited on the inside surface of the
casting cylinder to act as an etch stop layer, and this layer
should reflective to the light that is used to cut the casting
cylinder material. Cutting can be performed using one or more cut
lines to make it easier to subsequently peel off the casting
cylinder from the laminate. Once the casting cylinder is cut, it
can be peeled off of the laminate mechanically. By way of example,
and not by way of limitation the casting cylinder may be etched way
chemically using etching chemicals that do not also etch away the
master mold and the polymer mask within. The casting cylinder may
also be removed by other means, and such other means of removal are
within the scope of the present disclosure. In some
implementations, the casting cylinder 2232 is a sacrificial casting
component according to various aspects of SECTION II of this
description.
[0218] Next, the polymer mask 2236 may be separated from the master
mold 2234, such as, e.g., by peeling it off, resulting in a free
standing PDMS mask having a thickness of 1-3 mm.
[0219] Aspects of the present disclosure include a process 2300
that may use cylindrical master mold assemblies 2230 to form a free
standing polymer mask. A flowchart depicting process 2300 that
includes various aspects of the above disclosure is depicted in
FIG. 23. Various aspects of process 2300 are also described with
reference to mold assemblies 2230 of FIGS. 22A-22B. First, at 2310,
pattern a master mold 2234. The master mold may be patterned by
successively imprinting it with a smaller master mask. At 2320,
form a patterned polymer mask by casting elastomeric materials or
polymer on the master mold 2234 and curing the material/polymer. At
2330, the laminate of the master mold 2234 and the patterned
polymer mask 2236 is rolled and inserted coaxially into a casting
cylinder 2232. At 2340, the gap in the patterned polymer mask 2236
is filled with a liquid polymer. At 2342, the liquid polymer is
cured during the curing process, and thereby transferring the
patterns on the master mold along the gap to the cured polymer. At
2350, the casting cylinder 2232 and the master mold 2234 are
removed to form a free standing polymer mask.
VI. Forming a Multilayer Mask Using Casting Components
[0220] Aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION VI include methods
and apparatus for forming a multilayered mask using coaxial casting
components in multiple stages. Various other methods and apparatus
are also included in this section. Forming a multilayered mask in
accordance with aspects of this section can be used to form a
compliant layer for a rotatable mask, which can provide benefits
that may include extra cushioning or compliance in the rotatable
mask. There may be various other advantages to implementations of
this section.
[0221] It is further noted that this SECTION VI has applicability
to and can readily be implemented in various aspects of the
remaining SECTIONS I-V of this description, including but not
limited to any such sections that may involve forming a patterned
compliant layer of rotatable mask. By way of example and not by way
of limitation, various aspects of the disclosure of this SECTION VI
can readily be applied to implementations of SECTION IV of this
description, which involves the patterning of a surface of a
casting component.
[0222] Aspects of the present disclosure include a multilayer
polymer mask and a method of fabricating the same. The method of
making the multilayer polymer mask may involve two stages.
[0223] FIG. 24A depicts an overhead view of a cylindrical master
mold assembly in a first stage to form a multilayer polymer mask
according to some implementations of the present disclosure. A
cylindrical master mold 2410 is formed with features/patterns on
the inner surface of the cylinder. A first casting cylinder 2420 is
next inserted coaxially into the master mold 2410 to create a
cylindrical region between the casting cylinder 2420 and the master
mold 2410. Next, the cylindrical region between the casting
cylinder 2420 and the master mold 2410 is filled with a liquid
polymer to form a patterned polymer mask 2430 upon curing.
Thereafter, the first casting cylinder 2420 is removed and the
polymer mask 2430 is peeled off from the interior of the
cylindrical master mold 2410. As such, a free standing polymer mask
may be formed. In some implementations, a free standing polymer
mask 2430 is alternatively formed using aspects of the SECTION V of
this description, wherein a laminate is rolled into a cylinder and
a gap in the laminate is filled in to produce a substantially
seamless pattern on a cylindrical mask. In some implementations, a
free standing polymer mask 2430 is formed using various aspects of
SECTION II of this description, including implementations wherein
the first casting cylinder 2420 is a sacrificial component and
removing the first casting cylinder is performed in accordance with
aspects of that section. In some implementations, the cylindrical
master mask is formed by patterning the inner surface of the
cylinder in accordance with various aspects of SECTION IV of this
description.
[0224] FIG. 24B depicts an overhead view of a cylindrical master
mold assembly in a second stage to form a multilayer polymer mask
according to some implementations of the present disclosure. The
polymer mask 2430 is covered with a protective film 2432 and
inserted into a second casting cylinder 2440, with the protective
film against the interior surface of the casting cylinder 2440. A
fused silica mask cylinder 2450 is in turn inserted coaxially into
the second casting cylinder 2440 and the film-covered polymer mask
2430, and thereby creating a cylindrical region between the fused
silica mask cylinder and the inner diameter of the polymer mask
2430. This gap is then filled with liquid polymer to form cushion
layer 2460 upon curing. Then the second casting cylinder 2440 and
the protection film 2432 are removed. As a result, a multilayer
polymer mask is formed. In some implementations, the second casting
cylinder 2440 is also a sacrificial casting component in accordance
with various aspects of SECTION II of this description, thereby
allowing yet additional layers to be formed by repeating a process
similar to the second stage accordingly.
[0225] FIG. 2 depicts an assembly 200 that may be used to form a
patterned polymer mask according to various aspects of the present
disclosure. In some implementations, aspects of this disclosure may
be used in the first stage mentioned above for forming a multilayer
polymer mask. The assembly 200 includes a master mold 204 and a
first casting cylinder 202 surrounded by the master mold 204. The
first casting cylinder 202 may correspond to the first casting
cylinder 2420 of FIG. 24A. The first casting cylinder 202 may also
correspond to a sacrificial casting cylinder, such as sacrificial
casting component 830 of FIG. 8A. The master mold 204 and the
casting cylinder 202 are coaxially assembled in a way that their
axes 206 are aligned, thereby creating a cylindrical region 208
with uniform thickness around the master mold 204 which can define
the shape of a polymer layer of the cylindrical mask. The outer
diameter of the casting cylinder 202 is larger than the outer
diameter of the final fused silica mask cylinder 2450 of the
multilayer mask. Polymer precursor can be inserted in the space 208
between the master mold 204 and the casting cylinders 202. The
master mold 204 and the casting cylinder 202 can be held in place
using an assembly apparatus (not pictured) that aligns their axes
and permits a liquid polymer to be inserted into cylindrical region
208 of the assembly, such as by pouring it through openings or
holes in the apparatus. Inserting the polymer precursor may be
done, for example, by pouring a liquid or semi-liquid polymer
precursor material in through the top of the assembly apparatus
into the space between the mold 204 and the cylinder 202. The
polymer precursor may be in the form of a monomer, a polymer, a
partially cross-linked polymer, or any mixture of thereof in a
liquid or semi-liquid form. The polymer precursor can be cured to
form the inner polymer layer of the cylindrical mask. Curing the
polymer precursor may involve applying UV radiation or heat. During
the curing process, the patterns on the inner surface of the master
mold 204 may be transferred to the outer surface of the
polymer.
[0226] In the above mentioned first stage, patterning the inner
surface of the master mold 2410 may be done using a variety of
techniques. For example, the inner surface of the master mold may
be patterned by successively imprinting it with a smaller master
mask as described above in SECTION III of this description. As
another example, a cylinder surface may be patterned using any of a
variety of known techniques, including nanoimprint lithography,
nanocontact printing, photolithography, etc.
[0227] In the above mentioned first stage, the cast cylinder 2420
may be removed. The patterned polymer mask may be in turn peeled
off from the master mold 2410 to form a free standing polymer mask
in a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm. It is noted that removing the
casting cylinder 2420 and the polymer mask 2430 can be performed in
a variety of ways, including various ways as mentioned above in the
present disclosure.
[0228] In the above mentioned first stage, the polymer mask 2430
may be covered with a protective layer 2432. In one example, the
protective layer may be a film of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The protective layer 2432 may be deposited on the polymer mask
2430, and the film-covered polymer mask 2430 is then inserted
coaxially into a second casting cylinder 2440 with the protective
film 2432 against the inner surface of the second casting cylinder
2440. The inner diameter of the second casting cylinder 2440 is
equivalent to the inner diameter of the master mold 2410 utilized
in the first stage mentioned above. The second casting cylinder
2440 may be a thin walled cylinder that is formed from a material
that is easily fractured, such as discussed in associated with the
casting cylinder 2232 of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B or as described with
reference to a sacrificial casting component in SECTION II. In some
implementations, the protective film enables the second casting
cylinder 2440 to be made of separate parts.
[0229] In the above mentioned second stage, a substrate for the
rotatable mask, such as a fused silica mask cylinder 2450 is
inserted coaxially into the second casting cylinder 2440 and the
film-covered polymer mask 2430. The fused silica mask cylinder 2450
may be a hollow cylinder with an outer diameter that is smaller
than the inner diameter of the polymer mask 2430, thereby creating
a cylindrical region of uniform thickness around the mask cylinder
2450 between the outer surface of the mask cylinder and the inner
surface of the polymer mask 2430.
[0230] In the above mentioned second stage, the cylindrical region
created between the polymer mask 2430 and the fused silica mask
cylinder 2450 may be filled with a liquid polymer and thereby
forming a cushion layer 2460 at the inner surface of the polymer
mask upon curing. The liquid polymer may be inserted into the
cylindrical region in a variety of ways, including various ways
mentioned above in the present disclosure.
[0231] In the above mentioned second stage, the second casting
cylinder 2440 may be removed. Also, the protective film 2432 may be
separated from the polymer mask 2430 having cured cushion layer
2460. As a result, a multilayer polymer mask including the polymer
mask 2430 and the cushion layer 2460 may be formed. Removing the
cast cylinder and protective film may be performed in a variety of
ways, such as various ways mentioned elsewhere in this
disclosure.
[0232] Aspects of the present disclosure include a process 2500
that may use cylindrical master mold assemblies 2400 and 2401 to
form a multilayer polymer mask. A flowchart depicting process 2500
is depicted in FIG. 25 that may include various aspects of the
above disclosure. Various aspects of process 2500 are also
described with reference to FIGS. 24A-24B. At 2510, the method 2500
may include patterning a master mold/mask 2410 so that the inner
surface of the master mold includes a pattern. At 2520, coaxially
assemble the patterned master mold 2410 and the first casting
cylinder 2420 so that the axis of both the mold and the cylinder
are the same. The casting cylinder 2420 may be a hollow cylinder
with an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of
the master mold 2410, such that a space is left between the mold
and the cylinder. At 2530, space between the mold 2410 and the
casting cylinder 2420 is filled with a liquid polymer precursor,
resulting in a patterned polymer mask upon curing. At 2540, the
first casting cylinder 2420 is removed and the patterned polymer
mask 2430 is peeled off from the master mold 2410, thereby forming
a free standing polymer mask. In some implementations, the casting
cylinder 2420 may be a sacrificial casting component in accordance
with various aspects of SECTION II of this description, so that the
master mask 2410 can be preserved for future use, whereby the
casting cylinder 2420 is removed by fracturing, dissolving,
collapsing, or otherwise removing it in a manner that enables the
cured polymer to be subsequently removed at 2540 from the master
mask 2410 after removal of the casting cylinder 2420. At 2550, the
polymer mask 2430 is covered with a protective layer or film 2432.
At 2560, the film-covered polymer mask 2430 is coaxially inserted
into a second casting cylinder 2440. At 2570, a fused silica mask
cylinder 2450 is coaxially inserted into the second casting
cylinder 2440 and the film-covered mask 2430. The fused silica mask
cylinder 2450 may be a hollow cylinder with an outer diameter that
is smaller than an inner diameter of the polymer mask 2430, thereby
leaving a space left between the cylinder and the mask. At 2580,
the space between the fused silica mask cylinder 2450 and the
polymer mask 2430 is filled with additional liquid polymer
precursor, thereby forming a cushion layer 2460 upon curing. At
2590, the casting cylinder 2440 and the protective film may be
removed to form a multilayer polymer mask. In some implementations,
the casting cylinder 2440 may also be a sacrificial casting
component.
[0233] Forming a multilayer mask in accordance with various aspects
of the present disclosure may provide several advantages. For
example, a casting cylinder, e.g. first casting cylinder 2420
mentioned above used to form an outer layer, may be made with
separable components having seams, thereby potentially simplifying
the process and reducing costs. Polymer used to form a layer in
contact with an unpatterned surface, e.g. polymer 2460 used to form
inner layer adjacent to the inner surface of outer layer 2430
mentioned above, may also fill in seams caused by using such
separate components. Likewise, in some implementations of the
present disclosure, a protective film provided over a patterned
surface enables a casting tube, e.g. second casting cylinder 2440
mentioned above, to be made of separable components, whereby the
protective film may prevent a seam of separable components from
transferring to patterned features covered by the film.
Furthermore, in some implementations, a mold or mask used in the
casting process, such as, e.g., the cylindrical master mold 2410,
does not have to be broken to remove the molded material, thereby
preserving it for future use and preventing damage to the molded
material by the breaking process.
[0234] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate
that various aspects of the present disclosure may be combined with
various other aspects without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. By way of example and not by way of limitation,
it will readily be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that various aspects of the disclosures of SECTIONS I-VI above
can be combined into numerous different permutations in fabrication
methods and rotatable masks involved in implementing the present
disclosure.
[0235] It is noted that various aspects of the present disclosure
have been described with reference to multilayered masks generally
having two compliant layers. It is noted that aspects of the
present disclosure can readily be implemented to form multilayered
masks having more than two compliant layers.
[0236] It is further noted that various aspects of the present
disclosure have been described with reference to rotatable masks
having cylindrical shapes. It is noted that aspects of the present
disclosure can readily be implemented in rotatable masks having
other shapes, such as, e.g., shapes containing frusto-conical
elements or other axially symmetric shapes.
[0237] It is further noted that various aspects of the present
disclosure may inverted, switched around, reordered, etc., in order
to produce seamless or quasi seamless feature patterns different
desired surfaces, such as, e.g., inner or outer surfaces of casting
cylinders, final masking cylinders, layers, or other elements used
in fabrication processes.
[0238] More generally it is important to note that while the above
is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, it is possible to use various alternatives,
modifications and equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present
invention should be determined not with reference to the above
description but should, instead, be determined with reference to
the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents.
Any feature described herein, whether preferred or not, may be
combined with any other feature described herein, whether preferred
or not.
[0239] In the claims that follow, the indefinite article "a", or
"an" when used in claims containing an open-ended transitional
phrase, such as "comprising," refers to a quantity of one or more
of the item following the article, except where expressly stated
otherwise. Furthermore, the later use of the word "said" or "the"
to refer back to the same claim term does not change this meaning,
but simply re-invokes that non-singular meaning. The appended
claims are not to be interpreted as including means-plus-function
limitations or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a
limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase
"means for" or "step for."
* * * * *