The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 1997

Filed:

Sep. 23, 1994
Applicant:
Inventors:

Hyongsok Soh, Stanford, CA (US);

Stephen C Minne, Danville, IL (US);

Calvin F Quate, Stanford, CA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
438703 ; 437935 ; 148D / ; 438949 ; 438947 ;
Abstract

A scanning probe microscope is used to pattern a layer of resist, and the pattern is transferred to a substrate. First, an underlayer formed of, for example, polyimide and a top layer formed of, for example, amorphous silicon are deposited on the substrate. A pattern is formed on the top layer using the tip of the cantilever in a scanning probe microscope. The pattern may consist of an oxide formed by an electric field at the cantilever tip. The top layer is then etched using the pattern as a mask and using an etchant that is selective against the underlayer. The underlayer is then etched using an etchant that is selective against the top layer and substrate. The substrate is etched with an etchant that removes the top layer but is selective against the underlayer. Finally, the underlayer is removed.


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