Described herein are a method for transferring an embossed structure, which includes at least the steps (1-i) and (2-i) or (1-ii) and (2-ii), where steps (1-i) and (2-i) or (1-ii) and (2-ii) are carried out using an embossing tool (P1) including at least one embossing die (p1), where the embossing die (p1) of the embossing tool (P1) is pretreated, before the implementation of step (2-i) or before the implementation of step (1-ii), with at least one organic solvent and/or at least one reactive diluent, and also a method of using a corresponding pretreated embossing tool (P1) including at least one embossing die (p1) for the purpose of transferring an embossed structure in such a way.

An example system for molding a photocurable material into a planar object includes a first mold structure having a first mold surface, a second mold structure having a second mold surface, and one or more protrusions disposed along at least one of the first mold surface or the second mold surface. During operation, the system is configured to position the first and second mold structures such that the first and second mold surfaces face each other with the one or more protrusions contacting the opposite mold surface, and a volume having a total thickness variation (TTV) of 500 nm or less is defined between the first and second mold surfaces. The system is further configured to receive the photocurable material in the volume, and direct radiation at the one or more wavelengths into the volume.

The present disclosure provides method and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. A method for 3D printing may comprise providing a mixture comprising (i) a polymeric precursor, (ii) a photoinitiator configured to initiate formation of a polymeric material from the polymeric precursor, and (iii) a photoinhibitor configured to inhibit the formation of the polymeric precursor. The method may comprise exposing the mixture to (i) a first light to cause the photoinitiator to initiate formation of the polymeric material, thereby to print the 3D object, and (ii) a second light to cause the photoinhibitor to inhibit the formation of the polymeric material. During printing of the 3D object, a ratio of (i) an energy of the second light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material relative to (ii) an energy of the first light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material may be greater than 1.

An example system is configured to photocure a photocurable material to form a polymer film. The system includes a first chuck configured to support a first substantially planar mold, a second chuck configured to support a second substantially planar mold, and an actuable stage coupled to the first chuck and/or the second chuck. The actuable stage is configured to position the first chuck and/or the second chuck so that the first and second molds are separated by a gap. The system also includes a sensor arrangement for obtaining measurement information indicative of a distance between the first and second molds and/or a pressure between the first and second chucks at each of at least three locations. The system also includes a control module configured control the gap between the first and second molds based on the measurement information.

In an example method of forming a waveguide part having a predetermined shape, a photocurable material is dispensed into a space between a first mold portion and a second mold portion opposite the first mold portion. A relative separation between a surface of the first mold portion with respect to a surface of the second mold portion opposing the surface of the first mold portion is adjusted to fill the space between the first and second mold portions. The photocurable material in the space is irradiated with radiation suitable for photocuring the photocurable material to form a cured waveguide film so that different portions of the cured waveguide film have different rigidity. The cured waveguide film is separated from the first and second mold portions. The waveguide part is singulated from the cured waveguide film. The waveguide part corresponds to portions of the cured waveguide film having a higher rigidity than other portions of the cured waveguide film.

A method of thermal compacting of an airbag cushion is described where rapid heating is conducted by a microwave beam directed at a mold through a radiation transparent wall without materially heating the mold itself.

An imprint method of molding an imprint material on a shot region of a substrate using a mold, includes aligning the shot region and the mold in a state where the imprint material and a pattern region of the mold are in contact with each other; and curing the imprint material by irradiating the imprint material with curing light after the aligning. The aligning is controlled so as to include an overlap period during which a period during which deformation light used to deform the shot region is applied to the substrate through the imprint material and a period during which polymerization light used to increase a viscosity of the imprint material is applied to the imprint material overlap each other. The polymerization light to be applied to the imprint material is controlled in accordance with the deformation light to be applied to the imprint material during the overlap period.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

A robot is disclosed that deposits pre-preg patches. The end effector of the robot comprises a source of light that is characterized by a wavelength λ; a plenum comprising a plurality of thru-holes and a plurality of gas shafts, wherein each of the plurality of thru-holes comprises a first opening and a second opening, and wherein each of the plurality of thru-holes intersects at least one of the plurality of gas shafts; a hermetic window that: (i) is substantially transparent to light characterized by the wavelength λ, and (ii) substantially prevents the gas from flowing through the first opening of the each of the plurality of thru-holes; and an optical instrument that directs the light from the source through the hermetic window, through the first opening of each of the plurality of thru-holes, and through the second opening of each of the plurality of thru-holes.

A method of forming imprinted patterns is provided. The method may include detecting a particle located on a wafer. The method may include distributing an imprint medium material on a surface of the wafer. The method may include forming an imprint medium layer on a surface of the wafer with a template and the imprint medium material.