Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming, on the substrate, a first layer having a first pattern and selectively shifting in tone, as well as along a first direction, a subsequent pattern formed into the same layer that corresponds to the first pattern. To that end, one method of the present invention includes generating into the first layer, a second pattern having a shape inverse to the first pattern. A third pattern is then transferred into the first layer that has a shape inverse to the second pattern.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming from a first material, disposed on the substrate, a first film having an original pattern that includes a plurality of projections. The projections extend from a nadir surface terminating in an apex surface defining a height therebetween. A portion of the first film in superimposition with the nadir surface defines a nadir portion. The nadir portion is removed to expose a region of the substrate in superimposition therewith, defining a plurality of recessions. A second material is disposed upon the first film to form a second film having a surface spaced-apart from the apex surface of the plurality of projections and filling the plurality of recessions to form a multi-film stack. The first film and portions of the second film are removed to create a plurality of spaced-apart projections of the second material on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming, on the substrate, a multi-layer film with a surface, an etch rate interface and an etch-differential interface. The etch-differential interface is defined between the etch rate interface and the surface. A recorded pattern is transferred onto the substrate defined, in part, by the etch-differential interface.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming, on the substrate, a first film having an original pattern that includes a plurality of projections a subset of which extends from a nadir surface terminating in an apex surface defining a height therebetween. A second film is disposed upon the first film and defines a surface spaced-apart from the apex surface of the plurality of projections. A variation in a distance between the apex surface of any one of the plurality of projections and the surface being within a predetermined range. A recorded pattern is transferred onto the substrate that corresponds to the original pattern, within the predetermined range being selected to minimize pattern distortions in the recorded pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of planarizing a substrate, the method including, forming, on the substrate, a patterned layer having a first shape associated therewith; and processing the patterned layer, with the first shape compensating for variations in the processing such that upon processing the patterned layer, the patterned layer comprises a substantially planar shape.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system of controlling movement of a body coupled to an actuation system that features translating movement of the body in a plane extending by imparting angular motion in the actuation system with respect to two spaced-apart axes. Specifically, rotational motion is generated in two spaced-apart planes, one of which extends parallel to the plane in which the body translates. This facilitates proper orientation of the body with respect to a surface spaced-apart therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a substrate, such as a template having a patterned mold. To that end, the system includes a substrate chuck adapted to position the substrate in a region; a pliant member; and an actuator sub-assembly elastically coupled to the substrate chuck through the pliant member. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of lever sub-assemblies, one of which includes a body lying in the region and spaced-apart from an opposing body associated with one of the remaining lever sub-assemblies of the plurality of lever sub-assemblies. One of the plurality of lever assemblies is adapted to vary a distance between the body and the opposing body. In this manner, compressive forces may be applied to the template to remove unwanted magnification or other distortions in the pattern on the mold. The pliant member is configured to attenuate a magnitude of resulting forces sensed by the substrate chuck generated in response to the compressive forces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a substrate, such as a template having a patterned mold. To that end, the system includes a substrate chuck adapted to position the substrate in a region; a pliant member; and an actuator sub-assembly elastically coupled to the substrate chuck through the pliant member. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of lever sub-assemblies, one of which includes a body lying in the region and spaced-apart from an opposing body associated with one of the remaining lever sub-assemblies of the plurality of lever sub-assemblies. One of the plurality of lever assemblies is adapted to vary a distance between the body and the opposing body. In this manner, compressive forces may be applied to the template to remove unwanted magnification or other distortions in the pattern on the mold. The pliant member is configured to attenuate a magnitude of resulting Forces sensed by the substrate chuck generated in response to the compressive forces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compliant device comprising a support body, a floating body, and a plurality of flexure arms. Each of the plurality of flexure arms is connected between the support body and the floating body to transfer a load therebetween in parallel. To that end, the flexure arms have first and second sets of flexure joints. The first set of flexure joints facilitate rotational movement of said flexure arm about a first axis extending along a first direction. The second set of flexure joints are arranged to facilitate rotational movement of the flexure arm about a second axis, extending along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The flexure joints are revolute joints.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compliant device comprising a support body, a floating body, and a plurality of flexure arms. Each of the plurality of transfer arms is connected between the support body and the floating body to transfer a load therebetween in parallel. To that end, the flexure arms having first and second sets of flexure joints. The first set of flexure joints facilitating rotational movement of said flexure arm about a first axis extending along a first direction. The second set of flexure joints arranged to facilitate rotational movement of the flexure arm about a second axis, extending along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The flexure joints are revolute joints.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system of controlling movement of a body coupled to an actuation system that features translating movement of the body in a plane extending by imparting angular motion in the actuation system with respect to two spaced-apart axes. Specifically, rotational motion is generated in two spaced-apart planes, one of which extending parallel to the plane in which the body translates. This facilitates proper orientation of body with respect to a surface spaced-apart therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the forces to be applied to a substrate in order to deform the same and correct for overlay misalignment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method to vary dimensions of a substrate supported by a chuck. The method includes applying compressive forces to the substrate with the actuator assembly while facilitating movement of the actuator assembly with respect to the substrate to minimize reactive forces generated in response to the compressive forces being sensed by the chuck.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for dispensing a total volume of liquid on a substrate, the method including, inter alia, disposing a plurality of spaced-apart droplets on a region of the substrate, each having an unit volume associated therewith, with an aggregate volume of the droplets in the region being a function of a volume of a pattern to be formed thereat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a substrate, such as a template having a patterned mold. To that end, the system includes a substrate chuck adapted to position the substrate in a region; a pliant member; and an actuator sub-assembly elastically coupled to the substrate chuck through the pliant member. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of lever sub-assemblies, one of which includes a body lying in the region and spaced-apart from an opposing body associated with one of the remaining lever sub-assemblies of the plurality of lever sub-assemblies. One of the plurality of lever assemblies is adapted to vary a distance between the body and the opposing body. In this manner, compressive forces may be applied to the template to remove unwanted magnification or other distortions in the pattern on the mold. The pliant member is configured to attenuate a magnitude of resulting forces sensed by the substrate chuck generated in response to the compressive forces.

Abstract: The present method and system features an active compliant pin chuck to hold a substrate, having opposed first and second surfaces, and compensates for non-planarity in one of the surfaces of the substrate. To that end, the support system includes a chuck having a plurality of piezo pins and reference pins, with the piezo pins being coupled to piezo actuators to undergo relative movement with respect to said reference pins. These and other embodiments are discussed more fully below.

Abstract: The present invention includes a substrate support system that features a chuck body having a body surface with a pin extending therefrom having a contact surface lying in a plane, with the pin being movably coupled to the chuck body to move with respect to the plane. As a result the substrate support system attenuates if not avoids generating non-planarity in a substrate that results from a presence of particulate contaminants. This is achieved by fabricating the pin to be compliant, allowing the same to move to accommodate the presence of the particle while maintaining sufficient planarity in the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for supporting a substrate that features a chuck body having a body surface with a pin extending therefrom having a contact surface lying in a plane, with the pin being movably coupled to the chuck body to move with respect to the plane. To that end, the method includes disposing the substrate upon two spaced-apart bodies; and moving one of the two spaced-apart bodies away from the substrate.

Abstract: The present method features an active compliant pin chuck to hold a substrate, having opposed first and second surfaces, and compensates for non-planarity in one of the surfaces of the substrate. To that end, the method includes creating a point contact on the first surface to generate a change in shape of the second surface to obtain a desired shape of the second surface. The desired shape may be smooth, if not substantially planar or any other shape desired within the operational parameters of the chuck and the substrate. For example, the method may compensate for non-planarity due to particulate matter on the first surface and substrate topography. These and other embodiments are discussed more fully below.

Abstract: An apparatus to control displacement of a body spaced-apart from a surface includes a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system to move about a plurality of axes. An actuation system is coupled to the flexure system to selectively constrain movement of the body along a subset of the plurality of axes.