Premium
High‐Fidelity, Sub‐5 nm Patterns from High‐χ Block Copolymer Films with Vapor‐Deposited Ultrathin, Cross‐Linked Surface‐Modification Layers
Author(s) -
Wang Hyun Suk,
Oh Seula,
Choi Junhwan,
Jang Wontae,
Kim Ki Hyun,
Arellano Carlos Luis,
Huh June,
Bang Joona,
Im Sung Gap
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201900514
Subject(s) - dewetting , materials science , wetting , perpendicular , chemical vapor deposition , surface energy , surface modification , substrate (aquarium) , layer (electronics) , coating , thin film , copolymer , deposition (geology) , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer , geometry , paleontology , oceanography , mathematics , sediment , geology , engineering , biology
Despite their capability, sub‐10 nm periodic nano‐patterns formed by strongly segregating block copolymer (BCP) thin films cannot be easily oriented perpendicular to the substrate due to the huge surface energy differences of the constituent blocks. To produce perpendicular nano‐patterns, the interfacial energies of both the substrate and free interfaces should be controlled precisely to induce non‐preferential wetting. Unfortunately, high‐performance surface modification layers are challenging to design, and different kinds of surface modification methods must be devised respectively for each neutral layer and top coat. Furthermore, conventional approaches, largely based on spin‐coating processes, are highly prone to defect formation and may readily cause dewetting at sub‐10 nm thickness. To date, these obstacles have hampered the development of high‐fidelity, sub‐5 nm BCP patterns. Herein, an all‐vapor phase deposition approach initiated chemical vapor deposition is demonstrated to form 9‐nm‐thick, uniform neutral bottom layer and top coat with exquisite control of composition and thickness. These layers are employed in BCP films to produce perpendicular cylinders with a diameter of ≈4 nm that propagate throughout a BCP thickness of up to ≈60 nm, corresponding to five natural domain spacings of the BCP. Such a robust approach will serve as an advancement for the reliable generation of sub‐10 nm nano‐patterns.