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Type: 
Journal
Description: 
In recent years, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)-based nanolithography techniques have emerged as a very powerful approach for the machining of countless types of nanostructures. However, the conventional AFM-based nanolithography methods suffer from low efficiency, low rate of patterning, and high complexity of execution. In this frame, we first developed an easy and effective nanopatterning technique, termed Pulse-Atomic Force Lithography (P-AFL), with which we were able to pattern 2.5 D nanogrooves on a thin polymer layer. Indeed, for the first time, we patterned nanogrooves with either constant or varying depth profiles, with sub-nanometre resolution, high accuracy, and reproducibility. In this paper, we present the results on the investigation of the effects of P-AFL parameters on 2.5 D nanostructures’ morphology. We considered three main P-AFL parameters, ie, the pulse’s amplitude (setpoint), the pulses’ width, and the distance between the following indentations (step), and we patterned arrays of grooves after a precise and well-established variation of the aforementioned parameters. Optimizing the nanolithography process, in terms of patterning time and nanostructures quality, we realized unconventional shape nanostructures with high accuracy and fidelity. Finally, a scanning electron microscope was used to confirm that P-AFL does not induce any damage on AFM tips used to pattern the nanostructures.
Publisher: 
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Publication date: 
1 Jan 2022
Authors: 

Paolo Pellegrino, Isabella Farella, Mariafrancesca Cascione, Valeria De Matteis, Alessandro Paolo Bramanti, Antonio Della Torre, Fabio Quaranta, Rosaria Rinaldi

Biblio References: 
Volume: 12 Issue: 24 Pages: 4421
Origin: 
Nanomaterials