Self-formation of sub-60-nm half-pitch gratings with large areas through fracturing

From Chaos to Control: Programmable Crack Patterning with Molecular Order in Polymer Substrates

Cracks are typically associated with the failure of materials. However, cracks can also be used to create periodic patterns on the surfaces of materials, as observed in the skin of crocodiles and elephants. In synthetic materials, surface patterns are critical to micro- and nanoscale fabrication processes. Here, a strategy is presented that enables freely programmable patterns of cracks on the surface of a polymer and then uses these cracks to pattern other materials. Cracks form during deposition of a thin film metal on a liquid crystal polymer network (LCN) and follow the spatially patterned molecular order of the polymer. These patterned sub-micrometer scale cracks have an order parameter of 0.98 ± 0.02 and form readily over centimeter-scale areas on the flexible substrates. The patterning of the LCN enables cracks that turn corners, spiral azimuthally, or radiate from a point. Conductive inks can be filled into these oriented cracks, resulting in flexible, anisotropic, and transparent conductors. This materials-based processing approach to patterning cracks enables unprecedented control of the orientation, length, width, and depth of the cracks without costly lithography methods. This approach promises new architectures of electronics, sensors, fluidics, optics, and other devices with micro- and nanoscale features.

Photonic crystal based biosensors: Emerging inverse opals for biomarker detection

Photonic crystal (PC)-based inverse opal (IO) arrays are one of the substrates for label-free sensing mechanism. IO-based materials with their advanced and ordered three-dimensional microporous structures have recently found attractive optical sensor and biological applications in the detection of biomolecules like proteins, DNA, viruses, etc. The unique optical and structural properties of IO materials can simplify the improvements in non-destructive optical study capabilities for point of care testing (POCT) used within a wide variety of biosensor research. In this review, which is an interdisciplinary investigation among nanotechnology, biology, chemistry and medical sciences, the recent fabrication methodologies and the main challenges regarding the application of (inverse opals) IOs in terms of their bio-sensing capability are summarized.

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The recent main challenges regarding the application of inverse opals (IOs) in the detection of biomolecules are reviewed.

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Sensing mechanisms of biomolecules including glucose, proteins, DNA, viruses were summarized.

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IO materials with their ordered 3D microporous structures have found attractive optical biosensor applications.

A high Precision Time Grating Displacement Sensor Based on Temporal and Spatial Modulation of Light-Field

A new displacement sensor with light-field modulation, named as time grating, was proposed in this study. The purpose of this study was to reduce the reliance on high-precision measurements on high-precision manufacturing. The proposed sensor uses a light source to produce an alternative light-field simultaneously for four groups of sinusoidal light transmission surfaces. Using the four orthogonally alternative light-fields as the carrier to synthesize a traveling wave signal which makes the object movement in the spatial proportion to the signal phase shift in the time, the moving displacement of the object can be measured by counting time pulses. The influence of the light-field distribution on sensor measurement error was analyzed in detail. Aimed to reduce these influences, an optimization method that used continuous cosinusoidal light transmission surfaces with spatially symmetrical distribution was proposed, and the effectiveness of this method was verified with simulations and experiments. Experimental results demonstrated that the measurement accuracy reached 0.64 μm, within the range of 500 mm, with 0.6 mm pitch. Therefore, the light-field time grating can achieve high precision measurement with a low cost and submillimeter period sensing unit.

Predicting tearing paths in thin sheets

This study investigates the tearing of a thin notched sheet when two points on the sheet are pulled apart. The concepts that determine the crack trajectory are reviewed in the general anisotropic case, in which the energy of the fracture depends on the fracture direction. When observed as a flat sheet a purely geometric "tearing vector" is defined through the location of the crack tip and the pulling points. Both Griffiths's criterion and the maximum energy release rate criterion (MERR) predict a fracture path that is parallel to the tearing vector in the isotropic case. However, for the anisotropic case, the application of the MERR leads to a crack path that deviates from the tearing vector, following a propagation direction that tends to minimize the fracture energy. In the case of strong anisotropy, it is more difficult to obtain an analytical prediction of the tearing trajectory. Thus, simple geometrical arguments are provided to give a derivation of a differential equation accounting for crack trajectory, according to the natural coordinates of the pulling, and in the case that the anisotropy is sufficiently weak. The solution derived from this analysis is in good agreement with previous experimental observations.

Realization of wafer-scale nanogratings with sub-50 nm period through vacancy epitaxy

Gratings, one of the most important energy dispersive devices, are the fundamental building blocks for the majority of optical and optoelectronic systems. The grating period is the key parameter that limits the dispersion and resolution of the system. With the rapid development of large X-ray science facilities, gratings with periodicities below 50 nm are in urgent need for the development of ultrahigh-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. However, the wafer-scale fabrication of nanogratings through conventional patterning methods is difficult. Herein, we report a maskless and high-throughput method to generate wafer-scale, multilayer gratings with period in the sub-50 nm range. They are fabricated by a vacancy epitaxy process and coated with X-ray multilayers, which demonstrate extremely large angular dispersion at approximately 90 eV and 270 eV. The developed new method has great potential to produce ultrahigh line density multilayer gratings that can pave the way to cutting edge high-resolution spectroscopy and other X-ray applications.

Fabrication of wafer-scale nanogratings for X-ray spectroscopy is difficult especially for very high line densities. The authors use vacancy epitaxy to fabricate sub-50-nm-periodicity gratings, coated with multilayers for efficient operation, for use in ultra-high resolution x-ray spectroscopy.

Universality of periodicity as revealed from interlayer-mediated cracks

A crack and its propagation is a challenging multiscale materials phenomenon of broad interest, from nanoscience to exogeology. Particularly in fracture mechanics, periodicities are of high scientific interest. However, a full understanding of this phenomenon across various physical scales is lacking. Here, we demonstrate periodic interlayer-mediated thin film crack propagation and discuss the governing conditions resulting in their periodicity as being universal. We show strong confinement of thin film cracks and arbitrary steering of their propagation by inserting a predefined thin interlayer, composed of either a polymer, metal, or even atomically thin graphene, between the substrate and the brittle thin film. The thin interlayer-mediated controllability arises from local modification of the effective mechanical properties of the crack medium. Numerical calculations incorporating basic fracture mechanics principles well model our experimental results. We believe that previous studies of periodic cracks in SiN films, self-de-bonding sol-gel films, and even drying colloidal films, along with this study, share the same physical origins but with differing physical boundary conditions. This finding provides a simple analogy for various periodic crack systems that exist in nature, not only for thin film cracks but also for cracks ranging in scale.

Two-dimensional gratings of hexagonal holes for high order diffraction suppression

We propose two-dimensional gratings comprised of a large number of identical and similarly oriented hexagonal holes for the high order diffraction suppression. An analytical study of the diffraction property for such gratings, based on both square and triangle arrays, is described. The dependence of the high order diffraction property on the hole shape and size is investigated. Notably, theoretical calculation reveals that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th order diffractions adjacent to the 1st order diffraction can be completely suppressed, and the 5th order diffraction efficiency is as low as 0.01%, which will be submerged in the background noise for most practical applications. The 1st order diffraction intensity efficiency 6.93% can be achieved as the hexagonal holes along y-axis connect with each other. For the case of b=P_y/3, the 1st order diffraction intensity efficiency is 3.08%. The experimental results are also presented, confirming the theoretical predictions. Especially, our two-dimensional gratings have the ability to form free-standing structures which are highly desired for the x-ray region. Comparing with the grating of the square array, the grating of the triangle array is easy to be fabricated by silicon planar process due to the large spacing between any two adjacent holes. Our results should be of great interest in a wide spectrum unscrambling from the infrared to the x-ray region.

The tearing path in a thin anisotropic sheet from two pulling points: Wulff's view

We study the crack propagation in a thin notched sheet of a polymeric material when two points in the sheet are pulled away. For materials of isotropic fracture energy, we show that an effective tearing vector predicting the direction of fracture propagation can be defined. In the flat sheet state, this vector is the perpendicular bisector of the vectors joining the pulling points and the fracture tip. The tearing vector is then differently oriented than the pulling direction. The "maximum energy released rate" criterion predicts a crack path that is tangential to the instantaneous tearing vector, or equivalently trajectories that are hyperbolas whose focal points are the pulling points. However, experiments indicate that fracture paths rarely follow this prediction because any small anisotropy existing in real thin sheets deviates the crack path from being parallel to the tearing vector. Although these deviations are locally small, as crack progresses a cumulative effect which results in large errors for long crack paths are observed. We therefore introduce the anisotropy effect through the generalization of the "maximum energy released rate" criterion and demonstrate that the crack trajectory and the minimum force to sustain tearing can be found through a Wulff's type geometrical construction. Systematic experiments show that the tearing force and fracture path are in good agreement with this prediction.

Splitting-induced surface patterns on the surface of polystyrene thin films

An AFM image of the surface gratings formed on the surface of the irradiated PS films with the irradiation dose of 1.548 J cm⁻², and variation of the apparent surface stress with the thickness of the irradiated PS films.

Control and Manipulation of Nano Cracks Mimicking Optical Wave

Generally, a fracture is considered as an uncontrollable thus useless phenomenon due to its highly random nature. The aim of this study is to investigate highly ordered cracks such as oscillatory cracks and to manipulate via elaborate control of mechanical properties of the cracking medium including thickness, geometry, and elastic mismatch. Specific thin film with micro-sized notches was fabricated on a silicon based substrate in order to controllably generate self-propagating cracks in large area. Interestingly, various nano-cracks behaved similar to optical wave including refraction, total internal reflection and evanescent wave. This novel phenomena of controlled cracking was used to fabricate sophisticated nano/micro patterns in large area which cannot be obtained even with conventional nanofabrication methods. We also have showed that the cracks are directly implementable into a nano/micro-channel application since the cracks naturally have a form of channel-like shape.

Quasi suppression of higher-order diffractions with inclined rectangular apertures gratings

Advances in the fundamentals and applications of diffraction gratings have received much attention. However, conventional diffraction gratings often suffer from higher-order diffraction contamination. Here, we introduce a simple and compact single optical element, named inclined rectangular aperture gratings (IRAG), for quasi suppression of higher-order diffractions. We show, both in the visible light and soft x-ray regions, that IRAG can significantly suppress higher-order diffractions with moderate diffraction efficiency. Especially, as no support strut is needed to maintain the free-standing patterns, the IRAG is highly advantageous to the extreme-ultraviolet and soft x-ray regions. The diffraction efficiency of the IRAG and the influences of fabrication constraints are also discussed. The unique quasi-single order diffraction properties of IRAG may open the door to a wide range of photonic applications.

Fabrication of asymmetric-gradient-concentric ring patterns via evaporation of droplets of PMMA solution at different substrate temperatures

Asymmetric-gradient-concentric ring patterns are fabricated via evaporating a PMMA solution droplet with a circular copper ring as template. Various micro-patterns are formed in the trench between the polymer rings.

Evaporation-induced formation of self-organized gradient concentric rings on sub-micron pre-cast PMMA films

A "particle-on-film" template is developed to fabricate self-organized surface patterns through solvent evaporation on initially featureless, sub-micron PMMA films. The small particle placed on the pre-cast PMMA film is able to confine a toluene droplet and influence the evaporative process. Well-ordered gradient concentric rings are formed around the particle due to the unconventional "advancing-receding" motion of the contact line in the "stick" state on the surface of the PMMA films. Both the center-to-center distance between adjacent rings (wavelength) and the height of the rings (amplitude) are strongly dependent on the particle size and the film thickness, and decrease with the decrease of the distance to the center of the particle. A linear dependence of the amplitude of the rings on the wavelength is observed under experimental conditions. The results demonstrate that the "particle-on-film" template has the potential to fabricate highly-ordered surface patterns economically and efficiently.

Fracture-based micro- and nanofabrication for biological applications

While fracture is generally considered to be undesirable in various manufacturing processes, delicate control of fracture can be successfully implemented to generate structures at micro/nano length scales. Fracture-based fabrication techniques can serve as a template-free manufacturing method, and enables highly-ordered patterns or fluidic channels to be formed over large areas in a simple and cost-effective manner. Such technologies can be leveraged to address biologically-relevant problems, such as in the analysis of biomolecules or in the design of culture systems that imitate the cellular or molecular environment. This mini review provides an overview of current fracture-guided fabrication techniques and their biological applications. We first survey the mechanical principles of fracture-based approaches. Then we describe biological applications at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we discuss unique advantages of the different system for biological studies.

Forbidden directions for the fracture of thin anisotropic sheets: an analogy with the Wulff plot

It is often postulated that quasistatic cracks propagate along the direction allowing fracture for the lowest load. Nevertheless, this statement is debated, in particular for anisotropic materials. We performed tearing experiments in anisotropic brittle thin sheets that validate this principle in the case of weak anisotropy. We also predict the existence of forbidden directions and facets in strongly anisotropic materials, through an analogy with the description of equilibrium shapes in crystals. However, we observe cracks that do not necessarily follow the easiest direction but can select a harder direction, which is only locally more advantageous than neighboring paths. These results challenge the traditional description of fracture propagation, and we suggest a modified, less restrictive criterion compatible with our experimental observations.

Raman enhancement of rhodamine adsorbed on Ag nanoparticles self-assembled into nanowire-like arrays

This work reports on Raman scattering of rhodamine (R6G) molecules absorbed on either randomly distributed or grating-like arrays of approximately 8-nm Ag nanoparticles developed by inert gas aggregation. Optimal growth and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) parameters have been obtained for the randomly distributed nanoparticles, while effects related to the aging of the silver nanoparticles were studied. Grating-like arrays of nanoparticles have been fabricated using line arrays templates formed either by fracture-induced structuring or by standard lithographic techniques. Grating structures fabricated by both methods exhibit an enhancement of the SERS signal, in comparison to the corresponding signal from randomly distributed Ag nanoparticles, as well as a preferential enhancement in the areas of the sharp features, and a dependence on the polarization direction of the incident exciting laser beam, with respect to the orientation of the gratings structuring. The observed spectroscopic features are consistent with a line-arrangement of hot-spots due to the self- alignment of metallic nanoparticles, induced by the grating-like templates.

Stem cell differentiation by functionalized micro- and nanostructured surfaces

New fabrication technologies and, in particular, new nanotechnologies have provided biomaterial and biomedical scientists with enormous possibilities when designing customized supports and scaffolds with controlled nanoscale topography and chemistry. The main issue now is how to effectively design these components and choose the appropriate combination of structure and chemistry to tailor towards applications as challenging and complex as stem cell differentiation. Occasionally, an incomplete knowledge of the fundamentals of biological differentiation processes has hampered this issue. However, the recent technological advances in creating controlled cellular microenvironments can be seen as a powerful tool for furthering fundamental biology studies. This article reviews the main strategies followed to achieve solutions to this challenge, particularly emphasizing the working hypothesis followed by the authors to elucidate the mechanisms behind the observed effects of structured surfaces on cell behavior.