Selected Applications
nanotools
UK Scientists Discover Strongest Biological Material
Did you know that limpets’ teeth are the world’s strongest known
biological material? The group of Prof. Asa Barber in the UK explored
this using an attoAFM (inside a SEM): their observations highlight an
absolute material tensile strength that is the highest recorded for a
biological material [1]. This considerable tensile strength of limpet
teeth is attributed to a high mineral volume fraction of reinforcing
goethite nanofibers with diameters below a defect controlled critical
size, suggesting that natural design in limpet teeth is optimized to-
wards theoretical strength limits.
For further reading see: www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31500883
Image courtesy of Asa H. Barber, Dun Lu, Nicola M. Pugno.
[1] Barber AH, Lu D, Pugno NM. J. R. Soc. Interface 12: 20141326 [2015].
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.1326
In-Situ Characterization of Exposed E-Beam
Resist using a Novel AFM Technique
In this application, attocube‘s ultra-compact attoAFM III is mounted
directly below the cathode of an e-BL-system. The relative position
of the sample with respect to the e-beam is controlled by piezo xy
positioning units. The coarse distance of the AFM tip to the sample
is further controlled by the piezo z positioner. This arrangement
allows the user not only to irradiate the sample with the e-BL-system
but also to independently image the irradiated resist with the AFM -
without the need of breaking the vacuum and developing the resist.
This unique capability allows scientists to adjust e-beam doses in a
much more time efficient fashion than previous techniques and to
pin-point and understand critical processes in nm-scale lithography
processes.
References:
[1] H. Koop et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 28, 802 (2010).
[2] Raith application note: „Enabling sub-nm 3D metrology inside an Electron Beam Lithography
(EBL) tool by integration of an in-situ Atomic Force Microscope (2011).
attoMICROSCOPY
Sophisticated Tools for Science
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