The present disclosure of invention relates a method for fabricating a broadband near infrared plasmonic waveguide minimizing a signal loss and transmitting a surface electric field signal with a relatively small scale, for controlling localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) generated in an intersurface between a metal nano particle and a dielectric, and a transmitting distance of an electric field signal transmitted along the intersurface.
For next generation light information processer and quantum information processing apparatus technologies, the light source which is to be a target is controlled to be a predetermined distance in a micrometer scale.
Thus, in a plasmonic structure in which dielectric and metal nano particle are combined with each other, surface plasmon polariton (SPP) is formed on an intersurface of the metal-dielectric, and then a radio wave of the surface plasmon polariton may be controlled along a horizontal direction.
For the control of the radio wave of the surface plasmon polariton along the horizontal direction, conventionally, the metal nano particles are periodically arranged in two dimension to form a diffraction grid, a width of a meal thin film is controlled to form a thin-film optical waveguide, or a period or a direction of a pattern are diversified to control near-field.
Here, a size less than about 1 μm should be formed with a relatively large size more correctly, so that electron-beam lithography is used for a precise control, generally.
However, a manufacturing cost is relatively increased, an error in manufacturing the structure affects precision of the control, and the structure once formed is effective in a predetermined waveband.
Recently, non-periodic two dimensional metal nano particle arrangement is formed, and the near field is formed for the broadband incident light wavelength.
Korean patent No. 10-1533233 discloses that the optical waveguide using the conventional periodic two dimensional metal nano particle arrangement focuses a predetermined wavelength band to control the surface plasmon polariton and the near-field, and in the non-periodic metal nano particle arrangement, the broadband incident wavelength may be controlled. However, in the non-periodic metal nano particle arrangement, the period is totally disappeared so that the signal loss may be increased in transmitting the surface plasmon polariton electromagnetic wave.
Thus, to minimize the signal loss, to control near-infrared ray broadband incident light corresponding to a communication band or a light information processing band on the surface, and to control a distance of the transmitting, entirely periodic metal nano particle arrangement or entirely non-periodic metal nano particle arrangement is not proper, and a system having intermediate characteristics between the above two arrangements is required.
Regarded prior arts on the technologies mentioned above are Korean patents No. 10-1533233 and No. 10-1578614.
The present invention is developed to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related arts.
The present invention provides a method for fabricating a broadband near infrared plasmonic waveguide capable of minimizing a signal loss and transmitting a surface electric field signal with a relatively small scale, for controlling localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) generated in an intersurface between a metal nano particle and a dielectric, and a transmitting distance of an electric field signal transmitted along the intersurface.
According to an example embodiment, the method includes forming a first pattern on a substrate. A metal thin film is evaporated on the substrate on which the first pattern is formed. The first pattern is removed from the substrate on which the metal thin film is evaporated, to remain a second pattern on the substrate on which the metal thin film is evaporated. The substrate on which the second pattern is formed is heated, to induce dewetting, so that metal nano particles are formed on the substrate.
In an example embodiment, the forming the first pattern on the substrate may include coating a photoresist on the substrate, hardening the photoresist coated on the substrate, partially exposing the hardened photoresist firstly using a mask, to form the first pattern, hardening the first pattern and the photoresist, with removing the mask, exposing the first pattern and the photoresist secondly, and removing the photoresist which is not exposed to a light from the substrate due to the mask in the exposing firstly.
In an example embodiment, in the coating the photoresist on the substrate, a first solution and the photoresist may be sequentially coated on the substrate, and then a spin coating may be performed.
In an example embodiment, the first solution may be a methoxy-propyl acetate solution.
In an example embodiment, between the coating the photoresist on the substrate and the hardening the photoresist, a side area of the coated photoresist may be removed using acetone.
In an example embodiment, in the forming the first pattern, UV light having a wavelength between about 350 nm and about 450 nm may be used for the exposing.
In an example embodiment, in the removing the photoresist from the substrate, the photoresist may be removed from the substrate using a developing solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, and then the photoresist remained in the substrate may be additionally removed using a deionized water.
In an example embodiment, in the removing the first pattern, the first pattern may be removed using an ultrasonic wave generator.
In an example embodiment, the metal thin film may be melted to be arranged non-periodically, so that the metal nano particles may be formed.
In an example embodiment, in the forming the metal nano particles, a heated tube electric furnace or a heated plate may be used for the heating.
In an example embodiment, sizes of the metal nano particles and distances between the metal nano particles, may be controlled by a heating time, a thickness of the metal thin film and a surface state of the substrate.
In an example embodiment, each of the metal nano particles may have a radius less than about 300 nm.
In an example embodiment, the metal thin film may be formed from one of silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, tin, bronze, brass and nickel.
According to the present example embodiments, metal nano particle arrangement having randomness may be performed with a relatively large size and a relatively simple process from a metal thin film, using solid dewetting.
Here, half-non periodic metal nano particle arrangement may be formed in addition to periodic metal nano particle arrangement at the same time, using the conventional photo lithographic process. Here, a thickness of the metal thin film, a temperature of heat treatment, a processing time, and so on may be controlled, to control a size or a distance between the metal nano particles effectively, so that metal nano particle arrangement may be properly formed.
By forming an optical waveguide as mentioned above, a loss of the near infrared ray broadband incident light may be minimized by a relatively long distance (maximum distance is about 120 μm along a direction parallel with the metal-dielectric intersurface (signal loss with respect to the near infrared ray light signal with a range of 1,200˜1,600 nm is less than 3.8 dB 100 μm−1, such that the near infrared ray broadband incident light may be transmitted.
In addition, near infrared short wavelength incident signal which is used for a communication band may be stably transmitted along a surface.
In addition, a transmitting distance of near infrared broadband incident light which is used for a chemical sensor or a spectroscope may be differentiated or a transmitting efficiency thereof may be differentiate, so that the planer spectrum effect may be increased.
The invention is described more fully hereinafter with Reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
A photoresist 100 is coated on the substrate 200, to form the first pattern on the substrate 200 (step S110). Here, as illustrated in
Although not shown in the figure, a first solution may be used for uniformly coating the photoresist 100 on the substrate 200.
For example, the first solution is coated on the substrate 200, and then the photoresist is coated on the substrate 200. Then, a spin coater is used for spin coating the first solution and the photoresist 100 at the same time, so that the photoresist 100 may be coated on the substrate 200 more uniformly.
Here, the first solution may be a methoxy-propyl acetate solution.
A thickness of the photoresist coated on the substrate 200 may be controlled by a rotational speed of the spin coater, and then the thickness of the photoresist 100 may affect the conditions for forming the first pattern mentioned below.
As the rotational speed of the spin coater increases, a side area of the photoresist coated on the substrate 200 becomes thicker than a central area thereof, and thus the first pattern may be less uniformed.
Thus, in the present example embodiment, acetone is used for removing the side area of the photoresist thicker than the central area thereof, so that a thickness of the side area may be substantially same as that of the central area.
Then, referring to
For example, the heater is disposed under the substrate 200, and then the heat is provided to the substrate 200, to harden the photoresist 100 firstly. Alternatively, the heater may be disposed over the substrate 200 and then the heat may be provided to the substrate. In addition, the substrate 200 may be disposed inside of a chamber providing the heat to the substrate.
Then, referring to
Here, the light 20 used for the first exposing process may be UV light having a wavelength between about 350 nm and about 450 nm.
Then, referring to
Here, as mentioned above, the heater (not shown) disposed under the substrate 200 provides the heat for the hardening of the first pattern 110 and the photoresist 100. Alternatively, the heater may be disposed over the substrate 200, or the substrate 200 may be disposed inside of the heating chamber.
Then, referring to
Here, the first pattern 110 may be a negative resist. Thus, as illustrated in
Referring to
Alternatively, when the first pattern 110 is a negative resist, as illustrated in
After the second exposing process, as illustrated in
Then, as illustrated in
Here, a developing solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide is used to remove the photoresist 100 from the substrate 200, and then the photoresist 100 remained on the substrate 200 is cleaned using a deionized water. Thus, the photoresist 100 is entirely removed.
Then, referring to
A thermal evaporator may be used for the evaporating process, and alternatively, electron beam evaporation, sputtering evaporation, and so on may be used for the evaporating process.
Here, the metal thin film 50 may include silver.
Then, referring to
Then, on the substrate 200, as illustrated in
Finally, referring to
Here, the metal nano particles 55 may be arranged inside of the second pattern 53, randomly.
Accordingly, the metal nano particles 55 are entirely arranged as the second pattern 53, and then the metal nano particles 55 may have a predetermined pattern on the substrate, so that the metal nano particles 55 may form a periodic pattern. However, the metal nano particles 55 are arranged randomly inside of the second pattern 53, and thus may be defined to have a non-periodic pattern.
Thus, the metal nano particles 55 formed via the method according to the present example embodiment, may be defined to have a half (or semi)-non periodic (or, half (or semi)-periodic) pattern.
For the heat treatment process inducing the dewetting, a tube electric furnace or a heating plate heated between about 300° C. and about 500° C. may be used, to melt the metal thin film. Alternatively, the heater providing the heat or the laser irradiating the heat which melts the metal thin film may be used for the heat treatment process inducing the dewetting.
Further, as the metal thin film 50, one of silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, tin, bronze, brass and nickel may be used. Here, the metal thin film forming processes or heat treatment process may be properly selected, considering the materials included in the metal thin film 50, and further the conditions for the heat treatment may be properly selected, considering the materials included in the metal thin film 50.
Each of the half-non periodic metal nano particles 55 formed due to the dewetting may have a radius less than about 300 nm.
The size of each of the half-non periodic metal nano particles 55, and the distances between the half-non periodic metal nano particles 55 may be properly controlled by controlling the heating time for the substrate 200, the thickness of the metal thin film 50, and a surface state of the substrate 200.
Accordingly, the metal nano particles 55 may be formed half-non periodically, as illustrated in
In addition, an optical waveguide in which the half-non periodic metal nano particles are arranged variously may be fabricated using the half-non periodic metal nano particles, and hereinafter, the experimental results for a signal transmitting efficiency of the optical waveguide are explained.
The optical waveguide may be formed via the non-periodic metal nano particles. Alternatively, the non-periodically arranged metal nano particles 55 are formed to have a predetermined pattern on the substrate, such that the optical waveguide may be formed via the half-non periodic metal nano particles (for example, a second pattern in which the non-periodic metal nano particles are formed, and a portion in which the non-periodic metal nano particles are not formed, are repeated).
In
Referring to
Referring to
In
Referring to
In
In
Here, referring to
The signal transmitting distance (propagation length) of the optical waveguide according to the present example embodiment may be illustrated in
Referring to
In
Referring to
For example, the relative position between the light and the optical fiber is controlled, such that 0.029 rad)(1.718° is deviated from an aligned axis by 1 mm, and then is repeated for the experimental.
Thus,
Referring to
Accordingly, the optical waveguide including the half non-periodic silver nano particle arrangement, may transmit the signal with more increased intensity and more increased stability, and thus the signal transmitting efficiency may be increased.
According to the present example embodiments, metal nano particle arrangement having randomness may be performed with a relatively large size and a relatively simple process from a metal thin film, using solid dewetting.
Here, half-non periodic metal nano particle arrangement may be formed in addition to periodic metal nano particle arrangement at the same time, using the conventional photo lithographic process. Here, a thickness of the metal thin film, a temperature of heat treatment, a processing time, and so on may be controlled, to control a size or a distance between the metal nano particles effectively, so that metal nano particle arrangement may be properly formed.
By forming an optical waveguide as mentioned above, a loss of the near infrared ray broadband incident light may be minimized by a relatively long distance (maximum distance is about 120 μm along a direction parallel with the metal-dielectric intersurface (signal loss with respect to the near infrared ray light signal with a range of 1,200-1,600 nm is less than 3.8 dB 100 μm−1, such that the near infrared ray broadband incident light may be transmitted.
In addition, near infrared short wavelength incident signal which is used for a communication band may be stably transmitted along a surface.
In addition, a transmitting distance of near infrared broadband incident light which is used for a chemical sensor or a spectroscope may be differentiated or a transmitting efficiency thereof may be differentiate, so that the planer spectrum effect may be increased.
Having described the example embodiments of the present invention and its advantage, it is noted that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2017-0170015 | Dec 2017 | KR | national |
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0170015, filed on Dec. 12, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.