IP Library Granted Patent US 8,444,889
Granted Patent B2
US 8,444,889 · App. 12/726,503 · Granted May 21, 2013

Imprint pattern forming method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,444,889
App. No.
12/726,503
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imprint pattern forming method includes contacting a template with a pattern in a front surface with an imprint material formed in a substrate to fill the imprint material into the pattern, curing the imprint material filled in the pattern to form an imprint material pattern, and after forming the imprint material pattern, separating the template from the imprint material pattern while applying pressure to the back surface of the template.

Claims (22)

1. An imprint pattern forming method comprising:

contacting a template with a pattern in a front surface with an imprint material formed in a substrate to fill the imprint material into the pattern, wherein the template protrudes toward the front surface when applying pressure to a back surface of the template;

curing the imprint material filled in the pattern to form an imprint material pattern;

after forming the imprint material pattern, separating the template from the imprint material pattern while applying pressure to the back surface of the template, wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the substrate does not protrude and only the template protrudes; and

determining a timing for applying the pressure to the back surface of the template, by performing a simulation of a separation between the template and the imprint material, with a design data of the template, wherein the applying the pressure to the back surface of the template is based on the timing, and wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is changed.

2. An imprint pattern forming method comprising:

contacting a template with a pattern in a front surface with an imprint material formed in a substrate to fill the imprint material into the pattern, wherein the template protrudes toward the front surface when applying pressure to a back surface of the template;

curing the imprint material filled in the pattern to form an imprint material pattern;

after forming the imprint material pattern, separating the template from the imprint material pattern while applying pressure to the back surface of the template, wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the substrate does not protrude and only the template protrudes;

while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, observing a separated area or a non-separated area; and

determining a timing for applying the pressure to the back surface of the template based on a result of the observation and a design data of the template, wherein the applying the pressure to the back surface of the template is based on the timing, and wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is changed.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is changed depending on a force required to separate the template.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is increased when the force has at most a first value and is reduced when the force has at least a second value.

5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the pressure is applied using gas.

6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the force is measured by a measuring section connected to the back surface of the template.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein while the template is being separated from the imprint material pattern, the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is changed depending on a separation speed of the template.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is increased when the separation speed has at least a third value and is reduced when the force has at most a fourth value.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the pressure is applied using gas.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the separation speed is measured by irradiating the template and the substrate with a laser beam.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the applying the pressure to the back surface of the template includes applying a higher pressure when an area of low pattern density is separated and applying a lower pressure when an area of higher density is separated.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the pressure applied to the back surface of the template is increased when the density has at most a first value and is reduced when the density has at least a second value.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure is applied using gas.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2017
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043021/0746 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2010
From: TOKUE, HIROSHI; YONEDA, IKUO; INANAMI, RYOICHI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 024099/0483 →