Published Scientific Papers

NIL master manufacturing for optical gratings

Matthias Nestler, Marcel Demmler, Manuela Lötsch, Karl Gündel

Abstract

The production of surface relief gratings plays a crucial role in nano-structuring today. Applications range from laser mirrors to manufacturing of waveguides for mixed and augmented reality. Augmented (AR) and mixed reality (MR) applications have recently gained large interest. For in- and out-coupling optics, mainly Slanted Relief Gratings (SRG) are used. Nano-imprint lithography (NIL) is one way to produce such optical gratings.[1], [2], [3] For this procedure, NIL master stamp is pressed into a polymer for replication of the pattern. These NIL master stamps have to be structured previous to the NIL process. The manufacturing of those masters is realized by a pattern transfer of a masked substrate by ion beam etching technology. This technology enables the tilting of the substrate in the respect to the ion beam, the so-called incident angle of the ions, and, hence, the slant angles can be defined. Additionally, applying different process parameters, such as ion energy, beam current density and the mixture of process gas, the ratio between the physical, anisotropic etching and chemical isotropic etching can be adjusted. This ratio defines the shape of the slanted gratings. Two types of ion beam process are available, the Reactive ion beam etching (RIBE) for structuring the complete substrate surface simultaneously and the reactive ion beam trimming (RIBT) a locally resolved etching method enabling manufacturing of slanted gratings with both varying slant angle and varying trench depth. This work shows process results for these two manufacturing approaches.

To download the paper, follow the link: www.spiedigitallibrary.org
DOI 10.1117/12.2665773

Low temperature atomic layer deposition of cobalt using dicobalt hexacarbonyl-1-heptyne as precursor

Mathias Franz, Mahnaz Safian Jouzdani, Lysann Kaßner, Marcus Daniel, Frank Stahr and Stefan E. Schulz

Abstract

In this work, we present the development of an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for metallic cobalt. The process operates at low temperatures using dicobalt hexacarbonyl-1-heptyne [Co2(CO)6HC≡CC5H11] and hydrogen plasma. For this precursor an ALD window in the temperature range between 50 and 110 °C was determined with a constant deposition rate of approximately 0.1 Å/cycle. The upper limit of the ALD window is defined by the onset of the decomposition of the precursor. In our case, decomposition occurs at temperatures of 125 °C and above, resulting in a film growth in chemical vapour deposition mode. The lower limit of the ALD window is around 35 °C, where the reduction of the precursor is incomplete. The saturation behaviour of the process was investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements could show that the deposited cobalt is in the metallic state. The finally established process in ALD mode shows a homogeneous coating at the wafer level.

To download the paper, follow the link: www.beilstein-journals.org
DOI 10.3762/bjnano.14.78

Direct etching of slanted gratings for waveguides

Marcel Demmler

Abstract

We will introduce the latest results for etching of slanted relief grating (SRG) used as in- and out-coupling gratings in waveguides for augmented or mixed reality devices. The smaller input grating diffracts light coming from a display into the waveguide. At the out-coupler grating, light is diffracted in direction of the viewer. The geometrical dimension is below the wavelength of the light. Different approaches for the design of coupling gratings exist. One type is the so called SRG, which has a higher coupling efficiency compared to other types. For SRG, tilted trenches are etched in the waveguide, which is typically a plate made of a high refractive index material. The manufacturing challenges are the control of etching depth, slant angle and bottom angle. We will introduce a reactive ion beam milling tool for manufacturing of those gratings in mass production. We will give examples how to vary process parameters in order to control the grating geometry.

To see the publication, follow the link: www.spiedigitallibrary.org
DOI 10.1117/12.2595420

Slanted gratings with varying slant angle by localized reactive ion beam processing

David Stark, Carsten Schulze, Marcel Demmler, Matthias Nestler, Michael Zeuner – scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

Augmented and mixed reality applications have recently gained large interest. In order to fabricate lightweight near eye displays surface relief gratings are used for coupling the light from the source into the light guide and out of the light guide towards the eye. To suppress higher diffraction orders and thus maximize the light yield those gratings are slanted. In order to achieve high field of view variation of the slant angle is desirable yet rather difficult to achieve. Ion beam trimming (IBT) is a method well established in MEMS and sensor manufacturing to locally modify the thickness of a layer or substrate in order to achieve a desired target topography. This method has been adapted towards fabrication of surface relief gratings with both varying slant angle and varying trench depth.

To download the paper, follow the link: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org
DOI 10.1117/12.2600516

Sputter deposition of undoped and doped SiO2 films for temperature compensated SAW components

H. Bartzsch; J. Hildisch ; K. Täschner ; S. Barth – Fraunhofer FEP; R. Rückriem ; M. Nestler – scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

Reactive magnetron sputter deposition is shown to be a suitable method for depositing Fluorine doped silica films for temperature compensated SAW devices.

To download the paper, follow the link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8925909
DOI 10.1109/ULTSYM.2019.8925909

Ion Beam Figuring of X-Ray Mirrors

C.Schulze, M. Nestler, M.Zeuner - scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

A significant portion toward understanding evolution of the universe comes from X-ray astronomy since many astronomical objects of interest, such as black holes, supernovae, and distant galaxies, emit radiation in the X-ray band. As basically all materials have almost unity refractive index for X-rays focusing X-ray beams is only possible by reflection at grazing incidence. Due to the low photon flux of the objects under study (few photons per hour) each individual photon is of particular interest. Thus, the collective area of X-ray telescopes needs to be as large as possible which is achieved by a large amount of concentrically nested X-ray mirrors whose shape needs to be ideal fitting to the designed geometry for high image quality. Due to the mirrors' curvature even state of the art mechanical machining and chemical mechanical polishing processes leave a residual surface error of several hundred nanometers. Those residual errors can be significantly reduced by ion beam figuring.

To download the paper, follow the link: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org
DOI 10.1117/12.2530212

Structuring of Spintronic Sensors by Ion Beam Milling with in-situ Insulator Deposition

M. Nestler, S. Rumbke, E. Loos - scia Systems GmbH, A. Böhnke, N. Dohmeier - Bielefeld University

Abstract

We demonstrate that high-quality CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) can be produced by combining magnetron sputtering, UV lithography, and ion beam milling (IBM). Particularly, we study the effect of different milling angles on the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR). Furthermore, we investigate the quality of devices manufactured by depositing the insulator in-situ subsequent to milling. Using a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS), all layers can be detected while milling, enabling us to precisely define the mill stops. We found TMR values of up to 140 % for a milling angle of 30° and 90 % for a two angle milling process at 20° and 65°, proving that no critical sidewall redeposition of conductive material takes place.

To download the paper, follow the link: http://www.ama-science.org/proceedings/details/2653
DOI 10.5162/sensor2017/P1.5

Fabrication of high-sensitivity pyroelectric sensors by ion beam etching

R. Rückriem, M. Zeuner - scia Systems GmbH, R. Köhler - DIAS INFRARED GMBH

Abstract

Ion beam etching of pyroelectric sensors made of lithium tantalate (LT) is presented in order to get a higher specific detectivity D* compared to standard sensors. We present the etching tool which applies argon ion beam etching in production environment. The etching homogeneity was investigated by a standard silicon oxide etch and a twelve hour silicon etch with photoresist mask. Both show a homogeneity of +/- 0.7 % and a good compliance. Further investigations were done in a twelve hour process regarding the stability of the ion current regulation and ion current density. In the first two hours after process start the main variation of power and ion current density takes place. Afterwards, the system reached a steady-state. After etching of the LT samples, an analysis of the removed material and emerged etching walls was done. Finally, the important D* was compared between an ion-etched and a non-ion etched pyroelectric sensor.

To download the paper, follow the link: http://www.ama-science.org/proceedings/details/2406
DOI 10.5162/sensoren2016/P2.2

Multilayer coating of optical substrates by ion beam sputtering

M. V. Daniel, M. Demmler – scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

Ion beam sputtering is well established in research and industry, despite its relatively low deposition rates compared to electron beam evaporation. Typical applications are coatings of precision optics, like filters, mirrors, and beam splitter. Anti-reflective or high-reflective multilayer stacks benefit from the high mobility of the sputtered particles on the substrate surface and the good mechanical characteristics of the layers. This work gives the basic route from single layer optimization of reactive ion beam sputtered Ta2O5 and SiO2 thin films towards complex multilayer stacks for high-reflective mirrors and anti-reflective coatings. Therefore, films were deposited using different oxygen flow into the deposition chamber. Afterwards, mechanical properties (density, stress, surface morphology, crystalline phases) and optical properties (reflectivity, absorption and refractive index) were characterized. This knowledge was used to deposit a multilayer coating for a high-reflective mirror.

To download the paper, follow the link: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2279788
DOI 10.1117/12.2279788

New coating system for direct-deposition of sensors on components of arbitrary size: A novel approach allowing for thinner sensors with higher measuring accuracy

D. Klaas, J. Becker, M. C. Wurz - Institute of Micro Production Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover,
J. Schlosser, M. Kunze – scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

A new coating system for the deposition of sensors and thin layers directly onto components of arbitrary size has been invented at the Institute of Micro Production Technology. This system allows for thinner sensors without any carrier substrate and with a higher measuring accuracy. Within this paper, the basic setup and the functional principle of the new coating system is presented. The deposition process sequence is described and the system is characterized concerning layer homogeneity and evacuation time.

To download the paper, follow the link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7808440/
DOI 10.1109/ICSENS.2016.7808440

Ion beam trimming in manufacturing of acoustic wave devices

M.Zeuner, K.Gündel, T.Dunger, M.Demmler, M.Nestler – scia Systems GmbH

Abstract

The manufacturing of devices for mobile communication technology demands an extremely high precision regarding geometrical dimensions. In case of acoustic wave filters, surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators, the quality depends a lot on the dimensions of several layers consisting of different material, hence an adjustment regarding homogeneity in sub-nm range has to be guaranteed. Thin film deposition processes, used commonly in the industrial mass production in semiconductor industry, are not able to reach these demanding requirements in order to achieve the necessary device quality. On account of this a space-resolved correction of layer dimensions as a subsequent manufacturing step is mandatory [1, 2]. Within the article a technology of space-resolved correction of device wafer is described. The correction takes place due to a focused broad ion beam and a movement of wafer in front of it. Hence the ion beam etches the surface of the wafer and the modulated dwell time of the beam on a certain position of the wafer defines the amount of ablated material in order to achieve the target geometry or thickness all over the wafer.

To download the paper, follow the link: http://www.nanoindustry.su/files/article_pdf/4/article_4630_330.pdf
DOI 10.22184/1993-8578.2015.57.3.34.39