Fabrication of astronomical x-ray reflection gratings using thermally activated selective topography equilibration
arXiv:2102.12359 · doi:10.1116/1.5048197
Abstract
Thermally activated selective topography equilibration (TASTE) enables the creation of 3D structures in resist using grayscale electron-beam lithography followed by a thermal treatment to induce a selective polymer reflow. A blazed grating topography can be created by reflowing repeating staircase patterns in resist into wedge-like structures. Motivated by astronomical applications, such patterns with periodicities 840 nm and 400 nm have been fabricated in 130 nm-thick PMMA using TASTE to provide a base for X-ray reflection gratings. A path forward to integrate this alternative blazing technique into grating fabrication recipes is discussed.
21 pages, 8 figures, from a special edition of JVST B for the 62nd International Conference on Electron, Ion, and Photon Beam Technology and Nanofabrication (EIPBN)