Vapor deposited release layers for nanoimprint lithography

This paper presents the advantages of using a vapor deposited self-assembled monolayer (SAM) as a mold release layer for nano-imprint lithography. The release SAM was formed from a perfluorinated organo-silane precursor at room temperature in the gaseous state by a technique called Molecular Vapor Deposition (MVD (TM)). In contrast to a conventional coating from a liquid immersion sequence, the vapor deposition process forms a particulate free film resulting in a substantial reduction of surface defects. Another advantage of the vapor process is its excellent conformity onto the nanoscale topography of the mold. The self-assembling and self-limiting characteristics of the MVD process enables excellent CD control of the mold pattern. Pattern replication as small as 38nm features was achieved. Various other quantitative metrics of the MVD release layer are presented in this paper.