Re: Ways of creating micron sized dots on surfaces

Uncle Al <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Rallyjo wrote:
> > 
> > Hi!
> > 
> > I am looking for a technique by which i can apply micron/sub-micron
> > sized dots on flat surfaces. Can i sputter fine dots of some metal say
> > Aluminum on the surface of a substrate? Else, is it possible to etch
> > fine dots over a Al coated substrate by spraying some etchant over
> > it??
> > 
> > If you are aware of any technique, please let me know.
> > Thanks.
> 
> Fabrication of integrated circuits and their wiring by
> photolithography is commercial to 90 nm architecure.   1000 nm
> patterning is a piece of cake.  
> 
> One could envision an ultrasonic fogger with good output form
> solution.  The mist falls and evaporates before impinging on the
> surface below.  1 micron particle deposition in bulk seems very doable
> and reasonably control on the cheap.  React the deposition to make
> your metal (or have it be palladium and electrolessly plate).  
> 
> Lay down a two-component polymer solution that spontaneously unmixes
> into your pattern when the solvent evaporates, and remove one
> component (reactive etch or dissolve).
> 
> The Lexmark Z65N Color Inkjet 15/21PPM 4800X1200 DPI does 189
> dots/mm.  That's wthin a factor of 5 for the footprint - and can
> probably hit the mark if you let the droplet evaporate on the way to
> the surface.
> http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/17498.html?origin=story
> 
> Sub-micron particles are made in bulk (kilograms) by feeding wire into
> an electric arc while blowing highly turbulent inert gas through.  Let
> the particulate fog settle.

I believe the Lexmark Z65 has two drop sizes (I recently worked with
them while developing a product that used the Z55 - don't laugh -
http://www.imaginail.com), 3 and 10 picoliters. As you suggest, the
drop evaporates quickly. The Z65 is designed to hit a target 1.5 mm
away from the printhead. 3 or 4 mm distance might work well.

Epson printers are used by a lot of people who want to modify an
inkjet for non-standard use. If you contact this company:

http://www.belquette.com/pages/3/index.htm

you can probably get some pointers. 

I involved in the development of a machine that used a transducer to
"sputter" a picoliter drop of fluid onto a glass slide while working
at a consultancy in the SF Bay area a few years back. The client
company can be found here:

http://www.picoliterinc.com/