The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging

The microphase separation of block copolymer (BCP) thin films can afford a simple and cost-effective means to studying nanopattern surfaces, and especially the fabrication of nanocircuitry. However, because of complex interface effects and other complications, their 3D morphology, which is often cri...

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Main Authors: D Borah, T Ghoshal, M T Shaw, A Chaudhari, N Petkov, A P Bell, J D Holmes, M A Morris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-09-01
Series:Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
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Online Access:http://www.intechopen.com/journals/nanomaterials_and_nanotechnology/the-morphology-of-ordered-block-copolymer-patterns-as-probed-by-high-resolution-imaging
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author D Borah
T Ghoshal
M T Shaw
A Chaudhari
N Petkov
A P Bell
J D Holmes
M A Morris
author_facet D Borah
T Ghoshal
M T Shaw
A Chaudhari
N Petkov
A P Bell
J D Holmes
M A Morris
author_sort D Borah
collection DOAJ
description The microphase separation of block copolymer (BCP) thin films can afford a simple and cost-effective means to studying nanopattern surfaces, and especially the fabrication of nanocircuitry. However, because of complex interface effects and other complications, their 3D morphology, which is often critical for application, can be more complex than first thought. Here, we describe how emerging microscopic methods may be used to study complex BCP patterns and reveal their rich detail. These methods include helium ion microscopy (HIM) and high resolution x-section transmission electron microscopy (XTEM), and complement conventional secondary electron and atomic force microscopies (SEM and TEM). These techniques reveal that these structures are quite different to what might be expected. We illustrate the advances in the understanding of BCP thin film morphology in several systems, which result from this characterization. The systems described include symmetric, lamellar forming polystyrene-bpolymethylmethacrylate (PS-b-PMMA), cylinder forming polystyrene-b-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS), as well as lamellar and cylinder forming patterns of polystyreneb- polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) and polystyrene-b-poly- 4-vinylpyridine (PS-b-P4VP). Each of these systems exhibits more complex arrangements than might be first thought. Finding and developing techniques whereby complex morphologies, particularly at very small dimensions, can be determined is critical to the practical use of these materials in many applications. The importance of quantifying these complex morphologies has implications for their use in integrated circuit manufacture, where they are being explored as alternative pattern forming methods to conventional UV lithography.
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spelling doaj-art-35225f9a8edf405b970101af3d460c8a2025-02-03T01:31:54ZengWileyNanomaterials and Nanotechnology1847-98042014-09-01425http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/5909847487The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution ImagingD BorahT GhoshalM T ShawA ChaudhariN PetkovA P BellJ D HolmesM A MorrisThe microphase separation of block copolymer (BCP) thin films can afford a simple and cost-effective means to studying nanopattern surfaces, and especially the fabrication of nanocircuitry. However, because of complex interface effects and other complications, their 3D morphology, which is often critical for application, can be more complex than first thought. Here, we describe how emerging microscopic methods may be used to study complex BCP patterns and reveal their rich detail. These methods include helium ion microscopy (HIM) and high resolution x-section transmission electron microscopy (XTEM), and complement conventional secondary electron and atomic force microscopies (SEM and TEM). These techniques reveal that these structures are quite different to what might be expected. We illustrate the advances in the understanding of BCP thin film morphology in several systems, which result from this characterization. The systems described include symmetric, lamellar forming polystyrene-bpolymethylmethacrylate (PS-b-PMMA), cylinder forming polystyrene-b-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS), as well as lamellar and cylinder forming patterns of polystyreneb- polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) and polystyrene-b-poly- 4-vinylpyridine (PS-b-P4VP). Each of these systems exhibits more complex arrangements than might be first thought. Finding and developing techniques whereby complex morphologies, particularly at very small dimensions, can be determined is critical to the practical use of these materials in many applications. The importance of quantifying these complex morphologies has implications for their use in integrated circuit manufacture, where they are being explored as alternative pattern forming methods to conventional UV lithography.http://www.intechopen.com/journals/nanomaterials_and_nanotechnology/the-morphology-of-ordered-block-copolymer-patterns-as-probed-by-high-resolution-imagingBlock CopolymerThin FilmsDefectsPolystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylatePolystyrene -bpolyethylene OxidePolystyrene-b-polydimethyl SiloxanePolystyrene-b-polyvinylypyridineElectron MicroscopyHelium Ion Microscopy
spellingShingle D Borah
T Ghoshal
M T Shaw
A Chaudhari
N Petkov
A P Bell
J D Holmes
M A Morris
The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
Block Copolymer
Thin Films
Defects
Polystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylate
Polystyrene -bpolyethylene Oxide
Polystyrene-b-polydimethyl Siloxane
Polystyrene-b-polyvinylypyridine
Electron Microscopy
Helium Ion Microscopy
title The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
title_full The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
title_fullStr The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
title_full_unstemmed The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
title_short The Morphology of Ordered Block Copolymer Patterns as Probed by High Resolution Imaging
title_sort morphology of ordered block copolymer patterns as probed by high resolution imaging
topic Block Copolymer
Thin Films
Defects
Polystyrene-b-polymethylmethacrylate
Polystyrene -bpolyethylene Oxide
Polystyrene-b-polydimethyl Siloxane
Polystyrene-b-polyvinylypyridine
Electron Microscopy
Helium Ion Microscopy
url http://www.intechopen.com/journals/nanomaterials_and_nanotechnology/the-morphology-of-ordered-block-copolymer-patterns-as-probed-by-high-resolution-imaging
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