Abstract: Techniques regarding microfluidic chips with one or more vias filled with sacrificial plugs and/or manufacturing methods thereof are provided herein. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a silicon device layer of a microfluidic chip comprising a plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer. The plurality of vias comprise greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer. Additionally, the apparatus can comprise a plurality of sacrificial plugs positioned in the plurality of vias.

Abstract: Techniques regarding microfluidic chips with one or more vias filled with sacrificial plugs and/or manufacturing methods thereof are provided herein. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a silicon device layer of a microfluidic chip comprising a plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer. The plurality of vias comprise greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer. Additionally, the apparatus can comprise a plurality of sacrificial plugs positioned in the plurality of vias.

Abstract: Lift-off methods for fabricating metal line patterns on a substrate are provided. For example, a method to fabricate a device includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate and forming a photoresist mask over the sacrificial layer, isotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through an opening of the photoresist mask to form an undercut region in the sacrificial layer below the photoresist mask, wherein the undercut region defines an overhang structure, and anisotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through the opening of the photoresist mask to form an opening through the sacrificial layer down to the substrate. Metallic material is deposited to cover the photoresist mask and to at least partially fill the opening formed in the sacrificial layer without coating the overhang structure with metallic material. The sacrificial layer is dissolved to lift-off the metallic material covering the photoresist mask.

Abstract: Techniques regarding microfluidic chips with one or more vias filled with sacrificial plugs and/or manufacturing methods thereof are provided herein. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a silicon device layer of a microfluidic chip comprising a plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer. The plurality of vias comprise greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer. Additionally, the apparatus can comprise a plurality of sacrificial plugs positioned in the plurality of vias.

Abstract: Lift-off methods for fabricating metal line patterns on a substrate are provided. For example, a method to fabricate a device includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate and forming a photoresist mask over the sacrificial layer, isotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through an opening of the photoresist mask to form an undercut region in the sacrificial layer below the photoresist mask, wherein the undercut region defines an overhang structure, and anisotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through the opening of the photoresist mask to form an opening through the sacrificial layer down to the substrate. Metallic material is deposited to cover the photoresist mask and to at least partially fill the opening formed in the sacrificial layer without coating the overhang structure with metallic material. The sacrificial layer is dissolved to lift-off the metallic material covering the photoresist mask.

Abstract: Lift-off methods for fabricating metal line patterns on a substrate are provided. For example, a method to fabricate a device includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate and forming a photoresist mask over the sacrificial layer, isotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through an opening of the photoresist mask to form an undercut region in the sacrificial layer below the photoresist mask, wherein the undercut region defines an overhang structure, and anisotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through the opening of the photoresist mask to form an opening through the sacrificial layer down to the substrate. Metallic material is deposited to cover the photoresist mask and to at least partially fill the opening formed in the sacrificial layer without coating the overhang structure with metallic material. The sacrificial layer is dissolved to lift-off the metallic material covering the photoresist mask.

Abstract: Lift-off methods for fabricating metal line patterns on a substrate are provided. For example, a method to fabricate a device includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate and forming a photoresist mask over the sacrificial layer, isotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through an opening of the photoresist mask to form an undercut region in the sacrificial layer below the photoresist mask, wherein the undercut region defines an overhang structure, and anisotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through the opening of the photoresist mask to form an opening through the sacrificial layer down to the substrate. Metallic material is deposited to cover the photoresist mask and to at least partially fill the opening formed in the sacrificial layer without coating the overhang structure with metallic material. The sacrificial layer is dissolved to lift-off the metallic material covering the photoresist mask.

Abstract: An inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is formed on a carbon based material layer or an underlying layer. The inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is exposed with an electron beam and developed to form patterned oxide regions. An ultraviolet sensitive photoresist layer is applied over the patterned oxide regions and exposed surfaces of the carbon based material layer, and subsequently exposed with an ultraviolet radiation and developed. The combined pattern of the patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist and the patterned oxide regions is transferred into the carbon based material layer, and subsequently into the underlying layer to form trenches. The carbon based material layer serves as a robust mask for performing additional pattern transfer into the underlying layer, and may be easily stripped afterwards. The patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist, the patterned oxide regions, and the patterned carbon based material layer are subsequently removed.

Abstract: An inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is formed on a carbon based material layer or an underlying layer. The inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is exposed with an electron beam and developed to form patterned oxide regions. An ultraviolet sensitive photoresist layer is applied over the patterned oxide regions and exposed surfaces of the carbon based material layer, and subsequently exposed with an ultraviolet radiation and developed. The combined pattern of the patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist and the patterned oxide regions is transferred into the carbon based material layer, and subsequently into the underlying layer to form trenches. The carbon based material layer serves as a robust mask for performing additional pattern transfer into the underlying layer, and may be easily stripped afterwards. The patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist, the patterned oxide regions, and the patterned carbon based material layer are subsequently removed.

Abstract: An inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is formed on a carbon based material layer or an underlying layer. The inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is exposed with an electron beam and developed to form patterned oxide regions. An ultraviolet sensitive photoresist layer is applied over the patterned oxide regions and exposed surfaces of the carbon based material layer, and subsequently exposed with an ultraviolet radiation and developed. The combined pattern of the patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist and the patterned oxide regions is transferred into the carbon based material layer, and subsequently into the underlying layer to form trenches. The carbon based material layer serves as a robust mask for performing additional pattern transfer into the underlying layer, and may be easily stripped afterwards. The patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist, the patterned oxide regions, and the patterned carbon based material layer are subsequently removed.

Abstract: An inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is formed on a carbon based material layer or an underlying layer. The inorganic electron beam sensitive oxide layer is exposed with an electron beam and developed to form patterned oxide regions. An ultraviolet sensitive photoresist layer is applied over the patterned oxide regions and exposed surfaces of the carbon based material layer, and subsequently exposed with an ultraviolet radiation and developed. The combined pattern of the patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist and the patterned oxide regions is transferred into the carbon based material layer, and subsequently into the underlying layer to form trenches. The carbon based material layer serves as a robust mask for performing additional pattern transfer into the underlying layer, and may be easily stripped afterwards. The patterned ultraviolet sensitive photoresist, the patterned oxide regions, and the patterned carbon based material layer are subsequently removed.