Deep UV patterning of 3-amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane self-assembled molecular layers on alumina

C. B. Samantaray, Jeffrey T. Hastings

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Organosilane molecular layers are widely used to modify surface functionality and for the immobilization and assembly of more complex nanostructures. Unlike alkanethiol layers, simple organosilanes have not been directly photopatterened with easily accessible optical wavelengths. In particular, 3-amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane (APTES) is commonly used for such purposes, and a direct means of patterning molecular layers of APTES would be of interest for a variety of applications. However, previous efforts to photopattern aminosilanes have been limited to vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation at 172 nm. Here APTES layers were photopatterned on partially oxidized aluminum using 266 nm laser irradiation. APTES layers were grown on both oxidized Al and Si surfaces for patterning and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy purposes. APTES on aluminum oxide, in contrast to silicon, retains ethoxy groups. These groups are eliminated by 266 nm laser irradiation providing insight into the photopatterning mechanism. Unlike 172 nm irradiation, the 266 nm wavelength retains the APTES backbone. Microscale patterning of APTES has been performed and the exposed samples were processed in a second organosilane, n -butyltrichlorosilane (BTS) or n -octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODS), that enhances secondary-electron contrast compared to a patterned APTES sample. The authors found that BTS/APTES patterns exhibited contrast reversal compared to ODS/APTES structures. Direct patterning of organosilane films using deep-UV (rather than VUV or e-beam) exposure allows the use of coherent and continuous-wave sources and also prevents exposure of underlying resist layers when using the organosilane pattern as an in situ metrology standard for electron-beam lithography.

Original languageEnglish
Article number041603
JournalJournal of Vacuum Science and Technology B:Nanotechnology and Microelectronics
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This material is based on the work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-0609241. Electron-beam lithography and nanofabrication infrastructure was partially supported by the NSF EPSCOR Award No. EPS-0447479. Experiments at the University of Kentucky were conducted within the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CeNSE). The authors thank J. Zach Hilt and D. Biswal for FTIR measurements.

Funding

This material is based on the work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-0609241. Electron-beam lithography and nanofabrication infrastructure was partially supported by the NSF EPSCOR Award No. EPS-0447479. Experiments at the University of Kentucky were conducted within the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CeNSE). The authors thank J. Zach Hilt and D. Biswal for FTIR measurements.

FundersFunder number
National Science Foundation (NSF)

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • Instrumentation
    • Process Chemistry and Technology
    • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    • Materials Chemistry

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Deep UV patterning of 3-amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane self-assembled molecular layers on alumina'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this