Process for manufacturing ultra-sharp atomic force microscope (AFM) and
scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips
    4.
    发明授权
    Process for manufacturing ultra-sharp atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips 失效
    制造超锋利原子力显微镜(AFM)和扫描隧道显微镜(STM)技巧的工艺

    公开(公告)号:US5965218A

    公开(公告)日:1999-10-12

    申请号:US819283

    申请日:1997-03-18

    摘要: A method for manufacturing probe tips suitable for use in an atomic force microscope (AFM) or scanning tunneling microscope (STM) begins by depositing a layer of a first material over a substrate and then patterning the layer of the first material to define apertures wherever probe tips are to be formed. Next, a layer of a second material is deposited using an unbiased high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) process to form sharp probe tips in the apertures in the layer of the first material. The HDPCVD process also forms a sacrificial layer of the second material on top of the portions of the first material not removed by the patterning step. The sacrificial layer at least partially overhangs the apertures in the first material, forming a shadow mask during the deposition process which gives rise to a sharp probe profile. After the formation of the probe tips, the remaining portion of the layer of first material is removed using a wet chemical etchant that selectively etches the first material at a much higher rate than the second material. The removing step also removes the sacrificial layer of the second material because the sacrificial layer is lifted off the substrate when the underlying layer of first material is etched away. In one preferred embodiment, the first material is silicon nitride and the second material is silicon dioxide.

    摘要翻译: 用于制造适于在原子力显微镜(AFM)或扫描隧道显微镜(STM)中使用的探针尖端的方法开始于在衬底上沉积第一材料层,然后对第一材料的层进行图案以在探针 要形成技巧。 接下来,使用无偏高密度等离子体化学气相沉积(HDPCVD)工艺沉积第二材料层,以在第一材料层中的孔中形成尖锐的探针尖端。 HDPCVD工艺还在未被图案化步骤去除的第一材料的部分的顶部上形成第二材料的牺牲层。 牺牲层至少部分地悬挂在第一材料中的孔中,在沉积过程期间形成荫罩,其产生尖锐的探针轮廓。 在形成探针尖端之后,使用湿化学蚀刻剂去除第一材料层的剩余部分,其以比第二材料高得多的速率选择性地蚀刻第一材料。 当第一材料的下层被蚀刻掉时,去除步骤也会去除第二材料的牺牲层,因为牺牲层被从衬底上提起。 在一个优选实施例中,第一材料是氮化硅,第二材料是二氧化硅。