Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM

J. Bürger, V.S. Kunnathully, D. Kool, J.K.N. Lindner, K. Brassat, Nanomaterials (2020).

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Journal Article | Published | English
Author
Bürger, Julius; Kunnathully, Vinay S.; Kool, Daniel; Lindner, Jörg K. N.; Brassat, Katharina
Abstract
<jats:p>Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a promising tool for next generation lithography as microphase separated polymer domains in thin films can act as templates for surface nanopatterning with sub-20 nm features. The replicated patterns can, however, only be as precise as their templates. Thus, the investigation of the morphology of polymer domains is of great importance. Commonly used analytical techniques (neutron scattering, scanning force microscopy) either lack spatial information or nanoscale resolution. Using advanced analytical (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM), we provide real space information on polymer domain morphology and interfaces between polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in cylinder- and lamellae-forming BCPs at highest resolution. This allows us to correlate the internal structure of polymer domains with line edge roughnesses, interface widths and domain sizes. STEM is employed for high-resolution imaging, electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy filtered TEM (EFTEM) spectroscopic imaging for material identification and EFTEM thickness mapping for visualisation of material densities at defects. The volume fraction of non-phase separated polymer species can be analysed by EFTEM. These methods give new insights into the morphology of polymer domains the exact knowledge of which will allow to improve pattern quality for nanolithography.</jats:p>
Publishing Year
Journal Title
Nanomaterials
Article Number
141
ISSN
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Bürger J, Kunnathully VS, Kool D, Lindner JKN, Brassat K. Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM. Nanomaterials. 2020. doi:10.3390/nano10010141
Bürger, J., Kunnathully, V. S., Kool, D., Lindner, J. K. N., & Brassat, K. (2020). Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM. Nanomaterials. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10010141
@article{Bürger_Kunnathully_Kool_Lindner_Brassat_2020, title={Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM}, DOI={10.3390/nano10010141}, number={141}, journal={Nanomaterials}, author={Bürger, Julius and Kunnathully, Vinay S. and Kool, Daniel and Lindner, Jörg K. N. and Brassat, Katharina}, year={2020} }
Bürger, Julius, Vinay S. Kunnathully, Daniel Kool, Jörg K. N. Lindner, and Katharina Brassat. “Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM.” Nanomaterials, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10010141.
J. Bürger, V. S. Kunnathully, D. Kool, J. K. N. Lindner, and K. Brassat, “Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM,” Nanomaterials, 2020.
Bürger, Julius, et al. “Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM.” Nanomaterials, 141, 2020, doi:10.3390/nano10010141.

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