FEBID 3D-Nanoprinting at Low Substrate Temperatures: Pushing the Speed While Keeping the Quality

High-fidelity 3D printing of nanoscale objects is an increasing relevant but challenging task. Among the few fabrication techniques, focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) has demonstrated its high potential due to its direct-write character, nanoscale capabilities in 3D space and a very h...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jakob Hinum-Wagner, David Kuhness, Gerald Kothleitner, Robert Winkler, Harald Plank
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/6/1527
Description
Summary:High-fidelity 3D printing of nanoscale objects is an increasing relevant but challenging task. Among the few fabrication techniques, focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) has demonstrated its high potential due to its direct-write character, nanoscale capabilities in 3D space and a very high design flexibility. A limitation, however, is the low fabrication speed, which often restricts 3D-FEBID for the fabrication of single objects. In this study, we approach that challenge by reducing the substrate temperatures with a homemade Peltier stage and investigate the effects on Pt based 3D deposits in a temperature range of <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>5</mn><mo>–</mo><mn>30</mn><mo> </mo><mo>°</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi><mo>.</mo></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> The findings reveal a volume growth rate boost up to a factor of <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>5.6</mn></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, while the shape fidelity in 3D space is maintained. From a materials point of view, the internal nanogranular composition is practically unaffected down to <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>10</mn><mo> </mo><mo>°</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, followed by a slight grain size increase for even lower temperatures. The study is complemented by a comprehensive discussion about the growth mechanism for a more general picture. The combined findings demonstrate that FEBID on low substrate temperatures is not only much faster, but practically free of drawbacks during high fidelity 3D nanofabrication.
ISSN:2079-4991