Abstract
Nanofabrication with focused ion beams (FIB) is a widely used technology for tailoring of e.g. optical and plasmonic elements [1]. The technology is essentially based on material removal by ion sputtering (ion milling) or ion-beam assisted chemical etching [1]. In addition, FIBs can decompose polymer materials, which results in material shrinkage in the irradiated areas [2]. In this work, we demonstrate that this mechanism can be used for nanopatterning thin metal films deposited on PMMA resist spin-coated onto a silicon substrate. For this purpose, the samples were irradiated with He+ FIB in a Zeiss Nanofab HIM under different conditions. We investigated the effect of different landing energies as well as different metal and PMMA thicknesses, while keeping the dose below the critical value [3]. In addition, irradiation tests with Ne+ and Ga+ ion beams were also performed. The influence of both landing energy and metal thickness was not pronounced. On the other hand, the PMMA thickness showed a significant effect on the depth of the exposed areas. We used SRIM simulations to interpret these results. In thick PMMA, the majority of the collision events occurred in the bulk PMMA, which would cause more shrinkage compared to the situation in thin PMMA layers, where the majority of the collision events took place in the underlying silicon substrate. The depression generated by exposure to Ga+ beam are rougher and around three times deeper compared to the irradiation to He+ and Ne+ ions. We presume that it is due to material removal by sputtering with the Ga+ beam.
1. G. Hlawacek and A. Gölzhäuser, Helium Ion Microscopy, Switzerland (2016).
2. L. Sawyer et al. Polymer Microscopy, Springer New York (2008).
3. F. Schrempel et al. Applied Surface Science 189, 102-112 (2002).
1. G. Hlawacek and A. Gölzhäuser, Helium Ion Microscopy, Switzerland (2016).
2. L. Sawyer et al. Polymer Microscopy, Springer New York (2008).
3. F. Schrempel et al. Applied Surface Science 189, 102-112 (2002).
Original language | English |
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Publication date | 31. May 2018 |
Publication status | Published - 31. May 2018 |
Event | International Conference on Nanotechnology and Innovation in the Baltic Sea Region 2018 - University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark Duration: 30. May 2018 → 1. Jun 2018 https://www.sdu.dk/en/nibs2018 |
Conference
Conference | International Conference on Nanotechnology and Innovation in the Baltic Sea Region 2018 |
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Location | University of Southern Denmark |
Country/Territory | Denmark |
City | Sønderborg |
Period | 30/05/2018 → 01/06/2018 |
Internet address |