Direct nanoimprint of chalcogenide glasses with optical functionalities via solvent-based surface softening

Chalcogenide glasses are attractive materials for optical applications. However, these applications often require patterning of the surface with functional micro-/ nanostructures. Such patterning is challenging by traditional microfabrication methods. Here, we present a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach of direct imprint via solvent-based surface softening, for the patterning of As2Se3 surface. Our approach is based on an elastomeric stamp soaked in an organic solvent. During the imprint, the solvent diffuses into the imprinted substrate, plasticizes its surface, and thereby allows its imprint at the temperature below its glass transition point. Thus, our approach combines the full pattern transfer with the maintenance of the shape of the imprinted substrate, which is necessary for optical devices. By using this approach, we demonstrated functional antireflective microstructures directly imprinted on As2Se3 surface. Furthermore, we showed that our approach can produce imprinted features sized down to 20 nm scale. We believe that our new approach paves the way for more future applications of chalcogenide glasses. (C) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

This article presents a new approach of direct imprint using solvent-based surface softening for patterning functional microstructures on the surface of As2Se3. The method allows for full pattern transfer while maintaining the shape of the imprinted substrate.