Nanometer-scale structures and nano-fabrication
technologies are investigated intensively recently. The
most widely used pattern-generation techniques are
electron-beam lithography (EBL) [ 11 and scanning
probe lithography (SPL) [2-51. Electron beam
lithography (EBL) is a well-established high resolution
patterning technique in which high energy (1 0- 1 OOkeV)
electron are focused into a narrow beam and used to
expose electron-sensitive resists. Scanning probe
lithography (SPL) patterns on resist or conduct surface
with high electric field forced the electrons or negative
mobile ions from a sharp probe tip in close proximity to
a the conduct sample. It is easily to print sub-50 nm
features using both systems, but SPL has wider
exposure latitude at these small sizes. Also the SPL has
been proposed as a simpler and lower-cost alternative to
EBL systems for the generation of nanometer-scale
patterns.
In this study, atomic force microscope (AFM) has been
employed to generate nanometer-scale grid-lines and
transfer them into the material of interest. AFM induced
local oxidation of silicon is a process with a strong
potential for use in proximal probe nanofabrication.
This system provides high resolution, which can be
adjusted by tipkample bias, set constant force (or
constant height), scanning speed, and ambient humidity
of environment, without damage in the substrate [MI.
The patterns transferred into silicon employed the
orientation-dependent etching (ODE) [9] method with
the potassium hydroxide solution (KOH). This process
is chosen because of its excellent repeatability in
micro-fabrication and its low production cost, although
the surface roughness and morphology are detrimental
in nano-fabrication. In this study, we discussed the
relationship between etching temperature, etching depth
and linewidth. And we introduced the ultrasonic
agitation to improve the surface roughness and the
nano-structures morphology. Finally, the optimization
nano grid-line structures were demonstrated.