Prism-Based Laser Interference Lithography System for Simple Multibeam Interference Lithography

Laser interference lithography is a powerful technique of subwavelength-scale patterning. However, this technique requires a complicated optical system, the precise control and complexity of which increases exponentially with increasing number of beams. In this study, a compact prism-based laser interference lithography system using optical fibers and a prism was proposed to simplify the technique. In this system, the beam splitter and mirrors in a typical laser interference lithography system were replaced by a designed prism, and the pattern could be easily changed by only changing the prism, without other modification, irrespective of the number of beams required. In addition, because the laser and the laser interference lithography system are connected by an optical fiber, the system can be moved easily and flexibly. The fabrication of various submicroscale line patterns, holes, and dot patterns with a 270-1400 nm pitch was achieved using the proposed laser interference lithography system.