Methods to pattern substrates with dense periodic nanostructures that combine top-down lithographic tools and self-assembling block copolymer materials are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods involve chemically patterning a substrate, depositing a block copolymer film on the chemically patterned imaging layer, and allowing the block copolymer to self-assemble in the presence of the chemically patterned substrate, thereby producing a pattern in the block copolymer film that is improved over the substrate pattern in terms feature size, shape, and uniformity, as well as regular spacing between arrays of features and between the features within each array compared to the substrate pattern. In certain embodiments, the density and total number of pattern features in the block copolymer film is also increased. High density and quality nanoimprint templates and other nanopatterned structures are also provided.

Techniques for generating enhanced inductors and other electronic devices are presented. A device generator component (DGC) performs directed-self assembly (DSA) co-polymer deposition on a circular guide pattern formed in low-k dielectric film, and DSA annealing to form two polymers in the form of alternating concentric rings; performs a loop cut in the concentric rings to form concentric segments; fills the cut portion with insulator material; selectively removes first polymer, fills the space with low-k dielectric, and planarizes the surface; selectively removes the second polymer, fills the space with conductive material, and planarizes the surface; deposits low-k film on top of the concentric segments and insulator material that filled the loop cut portion; forms vias in the low-k film, wherein each via spans from an end of one segment to an end of another segment; and fills vias with conductive material to form conductive connectors to form substantially spiral conductive structure.

A method of forming at least one lithography feature, the method including: providing at least one lithography recess on a substrate, the or each lithography recess having at least one side-wall and a base, with the at least one side-wall having a width between portions thereof; providing a self-assemblable block copolymer having first and second blocks in the or each lithography recess; causing the self-assemblable block copolymer to self-assemble into an ordered layer within the or each lithography recess, the ordered layer including at least a first domain of first blocks and a second domain of second blocks; causing the self-assemblable block copolymer to cross-link in a directional manner; and selectively removing the first domain to form lithography features of the second domain within the or each lithography recess.

Techniques for generating enhanced inductors and other electronic devices are presented. A device generator component (DGC) performs directed-self assembly (DSA) co-polymer deposition on a circular guide pattern formed in low-k dielectric film, and DSA annealing to form two polymers in the form of alternating concentric rings; performs a loop cut in the concentric rings to form concentric segments; fills the cut portion with insulator material; selectively removes first polymer, fills the space with low-k dielectric, and planarizes the surface; selectively removes the second polymer, fills the space with conductive material, and planarizes the surface; deposits low-k film on top of the concentric segments and insulator material that filled the loop cut portion; forms vias in the low-k film, wherein each via spans from an end of one segment to an end of another segment; and fills vias with conductive material to form conductive connectors to form substantially spiral conductive structure.

A method for forming a functionalised assembly guide intended for the self-assembly of a block copolymer by graphoepitaxy, includes forming on the surface of a substrate a neutralisation layer made of a first material having a first neutral chemical affinity with regard to the block copolymer; forming on the neutralisation layer a first mask including at least one recess; depositing on the neutralisation layer a second material having a second preferential chemical affinity for one of the copolymer blocks, in such a way as to fill the at least one recess of the first mask; and selectively etching the first mask relative to the first and second materials, thereby forming at least one guide pattern made of the second material arranged on the neutralisation layer.

A method (200) for fabricating patterns on the surface of a layer of a device (100), the method comprising: providing at least one layer (130, 230); adding at least one alkali metal (235); controlling the temperature (2300) of the at least one layer, thereby forming a plurality of self-assembled, regularly spaced, parallel lines of alkali compound embossings (1300, 1305) at the surface of the layer. The method further comprises forming cavities (236, 1300) by dissolving the alkali compound embossings. The method (200) is advantageous for nanopatterning of devices (100) without using templates and for the production of high efficiency optoelectronic thin-film devices (100).

An electrode array including a substrate. The electrode array includes a first plurality of electrodes disposed above a first zone of the substrate, wherein the first plurality of electrodes has a first range of spacing. The electrode array further includes a second plurality of electrodes disposed above a second zone of the substrate, wherein the second plurality of electrodes has a second range of spacing that is less than the first range of spacing.

A directed self-assembling composition for pattern formation includes a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes a polystyrene block having a styrene unit, and a polyalkyl (meth)acrylate block having an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit. The block copolymer has a group that is bound to at least one end of a main chain of the block copolymer and that includes a hetero atom.

Block copolymer nanostructures such as nanosheets, nanoribbons, and nanotubes, are provided. The nanotructures are formed by the self-assembly of block copolymers during evaporation of solvent from a sol that has been disturbed, either i) internally by the introduction of relief (e.g. curvature) and/or the inclusion of nanoparticles in the sol; or ii) externally, e.g. by physical deformation of a semi-solid form of the sol, or a combination of internal and external disturbance. The nanostructures have uses in, for example, energy devices, electronics, sensors and drug delivery applications.

A substrate on which a processing film made of a directed self-assembly material is formed is placed on a holding plate incorporating a preheating mechanism, and is preheated. A low oxygen atmosphere surrounds the substrate. A preheating temperature is a temperature at which the directed self-assembly material comprised of two types of polymers is phase-separated. By preheating the processing film, the two types of polymers are phase-separated to form a fine pattern. The processing film is irradiated with flashes of light from flash lamps while being preheated. This increases the fluidity of the polymers constituting the processing film to achieve the formation of a fine pattern while suppressing the occurrence of defects.