Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers, Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, 3(13), p. 031303, 2014
DOI: 10.1117/1.jmm.13.3.031303
Alternative Lithographic Technologies VI
DOI: 10.1117/12.2048517
Full text: Download
The nanoimprint lithography (NIL) process with its key elements molding and thin film pattern transfer refers to the established process chain of resist-based patterning of hard substrates. Typical processes for mass-fabrication are either fast wafer-like substrate imprint or to continuous foils by roll-to-roll processes. In contrast to this, similar process chains were established for polymeric micro-elements fabricated by injection molding, particularly when surface topographies need to be integrated into monolithic polymer elements. NIL needs to be embedded into the framework of general replication technologies, with sizes ranging from nanoscopic details to macroscopic entities. This contribution presents elements of a generalized replication process chain involving NIL and demonstrates its wide application by presenting a non-typical NIL product such as an injection molded micro-cantilever. Additionally a hybrid approach combining the NIL and injection molding in a single tool is presented. Its aim is to introduce the toolbox approach for nanoreplication into NIL-based processing and to facilitate the choice of suitable processes for micro-and nanodevices. By proposing a standardized process flow as described in the NaPANIL Library of Processes, the use of establish process sequences for new applications will be facilitated.