Scanning Probe Lithography (SPL) describes recent advances in the field of scanning probe lithography, a high resolution patterning technique that uses a sharp tip in close proximity to a sample to pattern nanometer-scale features on the sample. SPL is capable of patterning sub-30nm features with nanometer-scale alignment registration. It is a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable method for patterning nanometer-scale features on various substrates. It has potential applications for nanometer-scale research, for maskless semiconductor lithography, and for photomask patterning. The authors of this book have been key players in this exciting new field. Calvin Quate has been involved since the beginning in the early 1980s and leads the research time that is regarded as the foremost group in this field. Hyongsok Tom Soh and Kathryn Wilder Guarini have been the members of this group who, in the last few years, have brought about remarkable series of advances in SPM lithography. Some of these advances have been in the control of the tip which has allowed the scanning speed to be increased from mum/second to mm/second. Both non-contact and in-contact writing have been demonstrated as has controlled writing of sub-100 nm lines over large steps on the substrate surface. The engineering of a custom-designed MOSFET built into each microcantilever for individual current control is another notable achievement. Micromachined arrays of probes each with individual control have been demonstrated. One of the most intriguing new aspects is the use of directly-grown carbon nanotubes as robust, high-resolution emitters. In this book the authors concisely and authoritatively describe the historical context, the relevant inventions, and the prospects for eventual manufacturing use of this exciting new technology.

Bringing Scanning Probe Microscopy Up to Speed introduces the principles of scanning probe systems with particular emphasis on techniques for increasing speed. The authors include useful information on the characteristics and limitations of current state-of-the-art machines as well as the properties of the systems that will follow in the future. The basic approach is two-fold. First, fast scanning systems for single probes are treated and, second, systems with multiple probes operating in parallel are presented. The key components of the SPM are the mechanical microcantilever with integrated tip and the systems used to measure its deflection. In essence, the entire apparatus is devoted to moving the tip over a surface with a well-controlled force. The mechanical response of the actuator that governs the force is of the utmost importance since it determines the scanning speed. The mechanical response relates directly to the size of the actuator; smaller is faster. Traditional scanning probe microscopes rely on piezoelectric tubes of centimeter size to move the probe. In future scanning probe systems, the large actuators will be replaced with cantilevers where the actuators are integrated on the beam. These will be combined in arrays of multiple cantilevers with MEMS as the key technology for the fabrication process.

Bringing Scanning Probe Microscopy Up to Speed introduces the principles of scanning probe systems with particular emphasis on techniques for increasing speed. The authors include useful information on the characteristics and limitations of current state-of-the-art machines as well as the properties of the systems that will follow in the future. The basic approach is two-fold. First, fast scanning systems for single probes are treated and, second, systems with multiple probes operating in parallel are presented. The key components of the SPM are the mechanical microcantilever with integrated tip and the systems used to measure its deflection. In essence, the entire apparatus is devoted to moving the tip over a surface with a well-controlled force. The mechanical response of the actuator that governs the force is of the utmost importance since it determines the scanning speed. The mechanical response relates directly to the size of the actuator; smaller is faster. Traditional scanning probe microscopes rely on piezoelectric tubes of centimeter size to move the probe. In future scanning probe systems, the large actuators will be replaced with cantilevers where the actuators are integrated on the beam. These will be combined in arrays of multiple cantilevers with MEMS as the key technology for the fabrication process.

Scanning Probe Lithography (SPL) describes recent advances in the field of scanning probe lithography, a high resolution patterning technique that uses a sharp tip in close proximity to a sample to pattern nanometer-scale features on the sample. SPL is capable of patterning sub-30nm features with nanometer-scale alignment registration. It is a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable method for patterning nanometer-scale features on various substrates. It has potential applications for nanometer-scale research, for maskless semiconductor lithography, and for photomask patterning. The authors of this book have been key players in this exciting new field. Calvin Quate has been involved since the beginning in the early 1980s and leads the research time that is regarded as the foremost group in this field. Hyongsok Tom Soh and Kathryn Wilder Guarini have been the members of this group who, in the last few years, have brought about remarkable series of advances in SPM lithography. Some of these advances have been in the control of the tip which has allowed the scanning speed to be increased from mum/second to mm/second. Both non-contact and in-contact writing have been demonstrated as has controlled writing of sub-100 nm lines over large steps on the substrate surface. The engineering of a custom-designed MOSFET built into each microcantilever for individual current control is another notable achievement. Micromachined arrays of probes each with individual control have been demonstrated. One of the most intriguing new aspects is the use of directly-grown carbon nanotubes as robust, high-resolution emitters. In this book the authors concisely and authoritatively describe the historical context, the relevant inventions, and the prospects for eventual manufacturing use of this exciting new technology.