<\/a>Figure 2: Photograph of reference block\/sample holder for the Sub-Atomic Measuring Machine at the University of North Carolina \u2013 Charlotte.<\/p><\/div>\n
A recently formed MIT-UNC\u2013Charlotte team is developing a new metrology technology based on large-area grating patterns that have long-range spatial-phase coherence and ultra-high accuracy.\u00a0 Our goal is to reduce errors in gratings by 10-100 times over the best available today.\u00a0 These improved gratings can be used to replace interferometers with positional encoders to measure stage motion in a new nanomanufacturing tools and to calibrate the dimensional scales of existing nanofabrication tools.\u00a0 This increased precision and accuracy will enable the manufacturing of nanodevices and systems that are impossible to produce today.\u00a0 Improved dimensional accuracy at the nano-to-picometer scale will have a large impact on many nanotechnology disciplines including semiconductor manufacturing, integrated optics, precision machine tools, and space research.<\/p>\n
As part of this effort, we will utilize a unique and powerful tool recently developed at MIT called the Nanoruler that can rapidly pattern large gratings with a precision well beyond other methods.\u00a0 Another unique high-precision tool, the UNCC-MIT-built Sub-Atomic Measuring Machine (SAMM), is being brought to bear to research new ways to quantify and reduce errors in the gratings.<\/p>\n
Recent work at MIT is focused on improving the thermal controls in the Nanoruler lithography enclosure and developing an improved interferometer system to reduce errors in the stage metrology frame.\u00a0 At UNCC the SAMM is undergoing extensive refurbishment and improvements designed to boost interferometer accuracy.<\/p>\n
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