Consistent pattern printing of the gap structure in femtosecond laser DMD projection lithography

Maskless lithography technologies have been developed and played an important role in the fabrication of functional micronano devices for microelectronics, biochips and photonics. Optical projection lithography based on digital micromirror device (DMD) is an efficient maskless lithography technology that can rapidly fabricate complex structures. The precise modulation of gap width by DMD maskless optical projection lithography (MOPL) using femtosecond laser becomes important for achieving micronano structures. Herein, we have investigated the relationship between the structure morphology and the light intensity distribution at the image plane by multi-slit diffraction model and Abbe imaging principle, and optimized the gap width more accurately by modulating exposure energy. The aperture diameter of the objective lens has a substantial effect on the pattern consistency. The continuously adjustable structural gap widths of 2144 nm, 2158 nm and 1703 nm corresponding to 6, 12, 24 pixels are obtained by varying the exposure energy in the home-built MOPL system. However, the ideal gap structure cannot be obtained only by adjusting the exposure energy when the gap width is small, such as 1 or 2 pixels. Furthermore, we have proposed an alternative way to achieve fine gap structures through the structural decomposition design and precise control of exposure energy in different regions without changing the MOPL optical system. This study would provide a promising protocol for fabricating gap microstructures with controllable configuration using MOPL technique. (c) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

This study investigates the precise modulation of gap width in maskless lithography using a digital micromirror device (DMD). The relationship between structure morphology and light intensity distribution is analyzed, and the gap width is optimized by modulating exposure energy. The aperture diameter of the objective lens is found to have a substantial effect on pattern consistency. The study also proposes an alternative method for achieving fine gap structures through structural decomposition design and precise control of exposure energy. This research provides a promising protocol for fabricating controllable gap microstructures using maskless lithography.