Massively parallel scanning-probe based methods have been used to address the challenges of nanometer to millimeter scale printing for a variety of materials and mark a step towards the realization of a "desktop fab." Such tools enable simple, flexible, high-throughput, and low-cost nano- and microscale patterning, which allow researchers to rapidly synthesize and study systems ranging from nanoparticle synthesis to biological processes. We have developed a novel scanning probe-based cantilever-free printing method termed polymer pen lithography (PPL), which uses an array of elastomeric tips to transfer materials (e.g. alkanethiols, proteins, polymers) in a direct-write manner onto a variety of surfaces. This technique takes the best attributes of dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and eliminates many of the disadvantages of contact printing. Various related techniques such as beam pen lithography (BPL), scanning probe block copolymer lithography (SPBCL), and hard-tip, soft spring lithography (HSL) are also discussed.

Date Published: 13 May 2011
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 8031, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications III, 803103 (13 May 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.884665

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8031:
Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications III
Thomas George; M. Saif Islam; Achyut K. Dutta, Editor(s)