title: Microfabrication using elastomeric stamp deformation.
abstract: Elastomeric stamp deformation has been utilized for the contact printing (CP) of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and, more recently, polymers and proteins. Here, we take advantage of this well-studied phenomenon to fabricate a series of new metal thin-film patterns not present on the original stamp. The rounded patterns are of nanoscale thickness, long-range order, and are created from elastomeric stamps with only straight-edged features. The metal was printed onto the surface of an alpha,omega-alkanedithiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The new shapes are controlled by a combination of stamp geometry design and the application of external pressure. Previously published rules on stamp deformation for contact printing of SAMs are invalid because the coating is instead a thin-metal film. This method represents a new pathway to micropatterning metal thin films, leading to shapes with higher complexity than the original lithographic masters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Dat T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Scott R J
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oliver