Abstract: A superstrate can include a body, a first layer, and a second layer, wherein the first layer is disposed between the body and the second layer. Each of the first and second layers has a proximal surface and a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, wherein the body is closer to the proximal surface than to the distal surface. An Ra of the distal surface of the second layer is less than an Ra of the distal surface of the first layer. In a method of making the superstrate, the relatively high Ra of the distal surface of the first layer may be related to the process or equipment used in forming the first layer. The second layer can be formed using another superstrate, where the Ra of the distal surface of the second layer is substantially the same as the contact surface of the other superstrate.

Abstract: A planarization apparatus comprising a superstrate chuck is provided. The superstrate includes a plurality of inner lands protruding from a surface of the superstrate chuck and a peripheral land protruding from the surface of the superstrate chuck along a periphery of the superstrate chuck and encircling the inner lands therein. The peripheral land has a height smaller than a height of each of the inner lands. The peripheral land has a width sufficiently larger than a width of each of the inner lands such that a pressure leakage through the peripheral land is controlled to be less than a threshold.

Abstract: A superstrate for forming a planarization layer on a substrate can include a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a chamfered edge between the first surface and the second surface. An opaque layer can coat the chamfered edge. In another embodiment, an opaque layer can coat the chamfered edge and a portion of the second surface. The superstrate can be used for more planarization or other processing sequences without causing extrusion defects.

Abstract: A method of forming a photo-cured layer on a substrate can comprise using a first photocurable composition and a second photocurable composition, wherein both photocurable compositions may contain the same types of polymerizable monomers but in different concentration ratios. The concentration ratios of the monomers in each of the two photocurable compositions can be adapted that the uneven loss of one type of monomer from the first photocurable composition due to unwanted evaporation in certain regions of the substrate may be compensated by the second photocurable composition, which contains a higher amount of said monomer. The two photocurable compositions can further be adapted to easily merge to a combined layer with a very even distribution of the polymerizable monomers. This may allow forming photo-cured layers having an excellent homogeneous material structure throughout the layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shaping a patterned or planarized film layer. Which may include contacting formable material on a substrate with a template during a contacting period, Which may also include reducing, during the contacting period, a pressure in an environment beyond an edge of the substrate from a first pressure to a second pressure, while the template is contacting the formable material.

Abstract: A preliminary drop pattern is provided that defines a predetermined location on a substrate for a center of mass of each drop of a plurality of drops. The preliminary drop pattern is adjusted to generate an adjusted drop pattern by radially shifting each drop of a subset of drops of the plurality of drops from the predetermined location by a radial offset. The plurality of drops is dispensed according to the adjusted drop pattern. A template or a superstrate is contacted with the dispensed drops, after which the center of mass of each drop of the subset of drops is radially displaced to a displaced location on the substrate prior to the plurality of drops forming a continuous layer. The radial offset is selected such that the displaced location is within 50 ?m of the predetermined location of the corresponding drop of the preliminary drop pattern.

Abstract: A pattern forming method using a photo-nanoimprint process on each of a plurality of shot areas: a step (1) of laying a layer of a curable composition (A1); a step (2) of dispensing liquid droplets of a curable composition (A2) dropwise discretely onto the layer of (A1); a step (3) of sandwiching a layer obtained by partially mixing (A1) and (A2), between a mold and the substrate; a step (4) of irradiating the layer with light to cure the layer; and a step (5) of releasing the mold from the layer of (A1) and (A2), in which when steps from the step (3) to the step (5) are collectively called an imprinting step [Im], in a time period from an end of the step (2) to a beginning of the step [Im] in one shot, the step (2) or the step [Im] is performed on another shot area.

Abstract: A process, system, and method of manufacturing an article on a substrate having a fluid control feature. The fluid control feature may include at least one depressed region formed along an edge of an imprint field. Formable material is deposited in the imprint field of the substrate. A template is moved such that the template comes into contact with the formable material in the imprint field. While the template comes into contact with the formable material, the formable material may flow into the fluid control feature.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern by using a photo-nanoimprint process includes performing, on each of a plurality of shot areas on a surface of a substrate: a step (1) of dispensing liquid droplets of a curable composition (A) dropwise discretely; a step (2) of bringing the curable composition (A) and a mold into contact with each other; a step (3) of irradiating the curable composition (A) with light; and a step (4) of releasing the mold from a cured product of the curable composition (A), in which when steps from the step (2) to the step (4) are collectively called an imprinting step (Im), before the imprinting step (Im) is performed on one shot area on which the step (1) has already been performed out of the plurality of shot areas, the step (1) is performed on another shot area selected from the plurality of shot areas.

Abstract: A method of forming a cured layer on a substrate can include applying on the exterior surface of the substrate a first liquid film and subjecting the first liquid film to actinic radiation in at least one first region of the film. The actinic radiated region can modify the substrate surface such that the drop spreading of a region not subjected to actinic radiation is larger than the drop spreading in a region subjected to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method configured to eject an electrically charged liquid. The apparatus and method include a liquid-ejecting apparatus including a reservoir for storing a liquid, an electrically conductive faceplate for ejecting the liquid, a plurality of channels connecting the reservoir to the electrically conductive faceplate, and a voltage source to change and maintain an electric potential difference between the liquid and the electrically conductive faceplate during ejection from the electrically conductive faceplate.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shaping a patterned or planarized film layer. Which may include contacting formable material on a substrate with a template during a contacting period, Which may also include reducing, during the contacting period, a pressure in an environment beyond an edge of the substrate from a first pressure to a second pressure, while the template is contacting the formable material.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method that includes generating drop pattern information. The method may comprise receiving pattern information. The pattern information may include one or both of: a substrate pattern of a representative substrate; and a template pattern of a representative template. The method may further comprise receiving offset information about a particular substrate that is representative of a measured state of the particular substrate relative to a reference state. The drop pattern information may represent a plurality of positions to place droplets of formable material on the particular substrate. The method may further comprise outputting the drop pattern information that is representative of the formable material that fills a volume between the template and the particular substrate that is in the measured state and the formable material does not spread into a border region at an edge of the particular substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving robust layer separation during the separation process of an imprint lithography process are described. Included are methods of matching strains between a substrate to be imprinted and the template, varying or modifying the forces applied to the template and/or the substrate during separation, or varying or modifying the kinetics of the separation process.

Abstract: A superstrate can include a body having a surface; a buffer layer overlying the surface; and a protective layer overlying the buffer layer, wherein the protective layer has a surface roughness that is equal to or less than a surface roughness of the surface of the body. The protective layer can include a material that can be selectively removed with respect to the buffer layer, and the buffer layer can include a material that can be selectively removed with respect to the body of the superstrate. The superstrate can be used for more planarization or other processing sequences before the body needs to be replaced, as any defects that may form extend into the protective layer or buffer layer and not reach the body. The layers can be removed and replaced by corresponding new layers without significantly adversely affecting the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method configured to brake and/or dampen an imprint head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method configured to stabilize imprint head temperature. The apparatus and method includes an imprinting apparatus including, a mount attached to a fixed surface, a movable plate movable relative to the mount, at least one electromagnetic actuator mounted between the movable plate and the mount, wherein an electrical current is applied to the at least one electromagnetic actuator for controlling movement of the moveable plate, and wherein a root-mean-square of the electrical current applied to the at least one electromagnetic actuator in an idle state is equal to a root-mean-square of the electrical current applied to the at least one electromagnetic actuator during a continuous imprinting state.

Abstract: Control of lateral strain and lateral strain ratio (dt/db) between template and substrate through the selection of template and/or substrate thicknesses (Tt and/or Tb), control of template and/or substrate back pressure (Pt and/or Pb), and/or selection of material stiffness are described.

Abstract: A method of forming a cured layer on a substrate can include applying on the exterior surface of the substrate a first liquid film and subjecting the first liquid film to actinic radiation in at least one first region of the film. The actinic radiated region can modify the substrate surface such that the drop spreading of a region not subjected to actinic radiation is larger than the drop spreading in a region subjected to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method configured to eject an electrically charged liquid. The apparatus and method include a liquid-ejecting apparatus including a reservoir for storing a liquid, an electrically conductive faceplate for ejecting the liquid, a plurality of channels connecting the reservoir to the electrically conductive faceplate, and a voltage source to change and maintain an electric potential difference between the liquid and the electrically conductive faceplate during ejection from the electrically conductive faceplate.