Patent · US Expired

Formation of nanoscale wires

US6773616B1 · kind B1 · utility

61Cited by
6References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 26, 2001
Grant dateAug 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 13, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/888
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Self-organized, or self-assembled, nanowires of a first composition may be used as an etching mask for fabrication of nanowires of a second composition. The method for forming such nanowires comprises: (a) providing an etchable layer of the second composition and having a buried insulating layer beneath a major surface thereof; (b) growing self-assembled nanowires on the surface of the etchable layer; and (c) etching the etchable layer anisotropically down to the insulating layer, using the self-assembled nanowires as a mask. The self-assembled nanowires may be removed or left. In either event, nanowires of the second composition are formed. The method enables the formation of one-dimensional crystalline nanowires with widths and heights at the nanometer scale, and lengths at the micrometer scale, which are aligned along certain crystallographic directions with high crystal quality. Further, the method of the present invention avoids traditional lithography methods, minimizes environmental toxic chemicals usage, simplifies the manufacturing processes, and allows the formation of high-quality one-dimensional nanowires over large areas.

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