Patent · US Expired

Monolithic three-dimensional structures

US6653244B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
15References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 2001
Grant dateNov 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/95
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Three-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape are fabricated on the surface of a substrate through a series of processing steps wherein a monolithic structure is fabricated in successive layers. A first layer of photoresist material is spun onto a substrate surface and is exposed in a desired pattern corresponding to the shape of a final structure, at a corresponding cross-sectional level in the structure. The layer is not developed after exposure; instead, a second layer of photoresist material is deposited and is also exposed in a desired pattern. Subsequent layers are spun onto the top surface of prior layers and exposed, and upon completion of the succession of layers each defining corresponding levels of the desired structure, the layers are all developed at the same time leaving the three-dimensional structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.