In this paper, we report results on a newly developed nanofabrication technique, namely
reverse-contact UV nanoimprint lithography. This technique is a combination of
nanoimprint lithography and contact printing lithography. In this process, a lift-off resist
and a UV cross-linkable polymer are spin-coated successively onto a patterned UV
mask-mould. These thin polymer films are then transferred from the mould to the
substrate by contact at a suitable temperature and pressure. The whole assembly is then
exposed to UV light. After separation of the mould and the substrate, the unexposed
polymer areas are dissolved in a developer solution leaving behind the negative
features of the original stamp. This method delivers resist pattern transfer without a
residual layer, thereby rending unnecessary the etching steps typically needed in the
imprint lithography techniques for three-dimensional patterning. Three-dimensional
woodpile-like structures were successfully fabricated with this new technique.
The fabrication of a three-dimensional multilayered nanostructure is demonstrated with a newly developed nanofabrication technique, namely, reverse contact ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. This technique is a combination of reverse nanoimprint lithography and contact ultraviolet lithography. In this process, a UV cross-linkable polymer and a thermoplastic polymer are spin coated onto a patterned hybrid metal-quartz stamp. These thin polymer films are then transferred from the stamp to the substrate by contact at a suitable temperature and pressure. The whole assembly is then exposed to UV light. After separation of the stamp and the substrate, the unexposed polymer areas are rinsed away with acetone leaving behind the negative features of the original stamp with no residual layer.
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