Ni electroplating on a resist micro-machined by proton beam writing

Uchiya, Naoyuki*; Furuta, Yusuke*; Nishikawa, Hiroyuki*; Watanabe, Toru*; Haga, Junji; Sato, Takahiro; Oikawa, Masakazu; Ishii, Yasuyuki; Kamiya, Tomihiro

Proton Beam Writing (PBW) is a direct irradiation (writing) technique for the fabrication of 3D structures of resists by photo-mask less micro-machining using MeV micro-/nano-proton beams. The MeV proton beams having a small scattering and a long penetration enable us to fabricate 3D high-aspect-ratio structures by the combination of the PBW and photofinishing with etching liquid. The PBW also has the advantage of fabrication of the 3D structures with cavities using the different penetration depths depending on beam energies. A pillar and an Arch-of-Triumph shape of 3D structures on silicon substrates were fabricated at JAEA using a positive resist. A prototype nickel mold was also fabricated by electroplating a nickel layer on a 3D line and space structure using a negative resist. The SEM images of two types of 3D structures of positive resists show that the PBW could be a versatile tool for fabrication of a prototype micro-photonics, micro-fluidic channels, MEMS and so on. Furthermore, fabrication of the prototype nickel mold leads us to manufacture 3D fine structures for imprint lithography, by coupling with the electroplating technique.