Embossing of microscale features in Pb and Zn

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-22-2003

Abstract

Embossing of microscale features into Pb and Zn was carried out using LIGA (Lithographie, Galvanoformung, Abformung) fabricated Ni mold inserts with features 100 μm in diameter and 500 μm in height. Molding was carried out at 300°C with both uncoated Ni inserts and Ni inserts coated with Ti-containing hydrocarbon (Ti-C:H). The coatings were applied using a high-density inductively coupled plasma (ICP) assisted hybrid chemical vapor deposition (CVD)/physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. This technique is shown to produce coatings conformally onto LIGA fabricated high aspect ratio microstructures (HARMs). The performance of the molding process was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy both in terms of the features generated and the insert condition after molding. The present results indicate that in molding metals that are not reactive with Ni no coating is necessary to produce the microfeatures. This study also demonstrates that in molding Zn, where significant metal/insert chemical interactions exist, surface engineering of the mold insert is necessary to obtain satisfactory performance. Conformal deposition of engineered ceramic coatings onto Ni microscale mold inserts is an effective means for achieving micromolding of reactive metals.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

First Page

523

Last Page

531

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