Tip- and laser-based 3D nanofabrication in extended macroscopic working areas. - In: Nanomanufacturing and metrology, ISSN 2520-8128, Bd. 4 (2021), 3, S. 132-148
The field of optical lithography is subject to intense research and has gained enormous improvement. However, the effort necessary for creating structures at the size of 20 nm and below is considerable using conventional technologies. This effort and the resulting financial requirements can only be tackled by few global companies and thus a paradigm change for the semiconductor industry is conceivable: custom design and solutions for specific applications will dominate future development (Fritze in: Panning EM, Liddle JA (eds) Novel patterning technologies. International society for optics and photonics. SPIE, Bellingham, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2593229). For this reason, new aspects arise for future lithography, which is why enormous effort has been directed to the development of alternative fabrication technologies. Yet, the technologies emerging from this process, which are promising for coping with the current resolution and accuracy challenges, are only demonstrated as a proof-of-concept on a lab scale of several square micrometers. Such scale is not adequate for the requirements of modern lithography; therefore, there is the need for new and alternative cross-scale solutions to further advance the possibilities of unconventional nanotechnologies. Similar challenges arise because of the technical progress in various other fields, realizing new and unique functionalities based on nanoscale effects, e.g., in nanophotonics, quantum computing, energy harvesting, and life sciences. Experimental platforms for basic research in the field of scale-spanning nanomeasuring and nanofabrication are necessary for these tasks, which are available at the Technische Universität Ilmenau in the form of nanopositioning and nanomeasuring (NPM) machines. With this equipment, the limits of technical structurability are explored for high-performance tip-based and laser-based processes for enabling real 3D nanofabrication with the highest precision in an adequate working range of several thousand cubic millimeters.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41871-021-00110-w
High-precision and large-stroke XY micropositioning stage based on serially arranged compliant mechanisms with flexure hinges. - In: Precision engineering, Bd. 72 (2021), S. 469-479
Compliant mechanisms are state of the art in micropositioning stages due to their many beneficial features. However, their design usually compromises between motion range, motion accuracy and design space, while mechanisms with distributed compliance are mostly applied. The further use of flexure hinges with common notch shapes strongly limits the stroke in existing high-precision motion systems. Therefore, this paper presents a high-precision compliant XY micropositioning stage with flexure hinges capable of realizing a motion range of ± 10 mm along both axes. The stage is based on a novel plane-guidance mechanism, which is optimized to realize a precise rectilinear motion of the coupler link while keeping the rotation angles of all hinges below 5˚. The XY motion is then achieved by coupling two of these mechanisms in a serial arrangement. Next, the synthesis of the monolithic XY stage is realized by replacing all revolute joints of the rigid-body model with flexure hinges using optimized power function notch shapes. Emphasis is also placed on the embodiment design of the stage and the actuator integration to minimize possible error sources. Finally, the quasi-static behavior of the compliant stage is characterized by a simulation with a 3D FEM model and by an experimental investigation of a prototype. According to the results, the developed compliant XY micropositioning stage achieves a maximum positioning deviation of less than 10 [my]m in both axes and a yaw error of less than 100 [my]rad over a working range of 20 mm × 20 mm with a comparably compact design of the compliant mechanism of 224 mm × 254 mm.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2021.02.001
Experimental setup for the investigation of reproducibility of novel tool changing systems in nanofabrication machines. - In: Nanomanufacturing and metrology, ISSN 2520-8128, Bd. 4 (2021), 3, S. 181-189
Nanomeasuring machines developed at the Technische Universität Ilmenau enable three-dimensional measurements and manufacturing processes with the lowest uncertainties. Due to the requirements for these processes, a highly reproducible and long-term stable tool changing system is needed. For this purpose, kinematically determined couplings are widely used. The state-of-the-art investigations on those are not sufficient for the highest demands on the reproducibility required for this application. A theoretical determination of the reproducibility based on analytical or numerical methods is possible, however not in the desired nanometer range. Due to this, a measurement setup for the determination of the reproducibility in five degrees of freedom with nanometer uncertainty was developed. First, potential measuring devices are systematically examined and measurement principles were developed out of this. A three-dimensional vector-based uncertainty analysis is performed to prove the feasibility of the measurement principle and provides a basis for further design. As a result, a translatory measurement uncertainty of 10 nm and a rotatory uncertainty of 11 nrad can be reached. Afterwards, the measurement setup is designed, focusing on the metrological frame and the lift-off device. The developed setup exceeds the uncertainties of the measurement setups presented in the state-of-the-art by an order of magnitude, allowing new in-depth investigations of the reproducibility of kinematic couplings.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41871-021-00103-9
Fundamental investigations in the design of five-axis nanopositioning machines for measurement and fabrication purposes. - In: Nanomanufacturing and metrology, ISSN 2520-8128, Bd. 4 (2021), 3, S. 156-164
The majority of nanopositioning and nanomeasuring machines (NPMMs) are based on three independent linear movements in a Cartesian coordinate system. This in combination with the specific nature of sensors and tools limits the addressable part geometries. An enhancement of an NPMM is introduced by the implementation of rotational movements while keeping the precision in the nanometer range. For this purpose, a parameter-based dynamic evaluation system with quantifiable technological parameters has been set up and employed to identify and assess general solution concepts and adequate substructures. Evaluations taken show high potential for three linear movements of the object in combination with two angular movements of the tool. The influence of the additional rotation systems on the existing structure of NPMMs has been investigated further on. Test series on the repeatability of an NPMM enhanced by a chosen combination of a rotary stage and a goniometer setup are realized. As a result of these test series, the necessity of in situ position determination of the tool became very clear. The tool position is measured in situ in relation to a hemispherical reference mirror by three Fabry-Pérot interferometers. FEA optimization has been used to enhance the overall system structure with regard to reproducibility and long-term stability. Results have been experimentally investigated by use of a retroreflector as a tool and the various laser interferometers of the NPMM. The knowledge gained has been formed into general rules for the verification and optimization of design solutions for multiaxial nanopositioning machines.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41871-021-00102-w
Design of an electrostatic balance mechanism to measure optical power of 100 kW. - In: IEEE transactions on instrumentation and measurement, ISSN 0018-9456, Bd. 70 (2021), 7002909, insges. 9 S.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2021.3060575
Measurement uncertainty analysis on a five-axis nano coordinate measuring machine NMM-5D following a vectorial approach :
Messunsicherheitsbetrachtungen an einem fünfachsigen Nano-Koordinatenmessgerät NMM-5D nach einem vektoriellen Ansatz. - In: Technisches Messen, ISSN 2196-7113, Bd. 88 (2021), 2, S. 61-70
Dieser Beitrag zeigt ein Konzept für eine fünfachsige Nano-Koordinatenmessmaschine zur Messung auf stark gekrümmten asphärischen und frei geformten optischen Oberflächen in einem Messvolumen von 25mm × 25mm × 5mm mit einem maximal möglichen Neigungswinkel von bis zu 60˚ zur Hochachse und einer maximalen Rotation von 360˚ um die Hochachse. Dabei wird die Probe translatorisch bewegt und der Sensor in seiner Orientierung verändert. Unter Einhaltung des Abbe-Komparatorprinzips für alle Messachsen wird die Bewegungsabweichung des Sensors bei der Rotation durch ein in-situ-Referenzmesssystem erfasst. Dieses besteht aus drei kartesisch angeordneten Fabry-Pérot-Interferometern mit dem Ursprung im Antastpunktes des Sensors, die den Abstand zu einer hemisphärischen Referenzfläche messen. Die Messunsicherheitsbetrachtung des Gesamtsystems erfolgt nach dem guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement in einem vektoriellen Ansatz und liefert unter konservativen Annahmen eine Unsicherheit des Antastpunktes von maximal 72 nm (k=1).
https://doi.org/10.1515/teme-2020-0092
A novel approach to generate a static torque in the range from 1 mN&hahog;m to 1 N&hahog;m :
Ein neuartiger Ansatz zur Erzeugung eines statischen Drehmoments im Bereich von 1 mN&hahog;m bis 1 N&hahog;m. - In: Technisches Messen, ISSN 2196-7113, Bd. 88 (2021), 2, S. 103-113
Drehmomentsensoren mit einem kleinen Messbereich bis zu 1 N&hahog;m sind Teil verschiedener Präzisionsgeräte, wie beispielsweise Roboter oder Werkzeuge für medizinische Operationen und Nanofabrikationsgeräte. Die Drehmomentsensoren benötigen häufig eine Kalibrierung, für die eine Rückführbarkeit nachgewiesen werden muss. Gemäß gesetzlichem Auftrag haben die nationalen metrologischen Institute die Aufgabe, die Drehmomenteinheiten zu realisieren und die geforderte Rückführbarkeit zu ermöglichen. Dieser Artikel zeigt, wie nach einem neuen Prinzip statische Drehmomente im Bereich von 1 mN&hahog;m bis 1 N&hahog;m erzeugt werden können. Ziel der laufenden Arbeiten war die Umsetzung dieser neuen Idee der Drehmomenterzeugung zur Schaffung einer neuen, präziseren Drehmoment-Normalmesseinrichtung. Die Leistungsfähigkeit der neuen Methode wurde mit der Erzeugung von statischen Drehmomenten nach dem Stand der Technik (PTB-Drehmoment-Normalmesseinrichtung) verglichen.
https://doi.org/10.1515/teme-2020-0090
Non-linear analytical modeling of planar compliant mechanisms. - In: Mechanism and machine theory, Bd. 155 (2021), 104067, insges. 15 S.
Compliant mechanisms are state of the art in technical applications, especially in precision engineering. They mostly achieve their motion due to bending-dominated deformation of their compliant segments, i.e. flexure hinges. Accurately analyzing a compliant mechanism in dependence of specific flexure hinges is still a challenging task due to the monolithic design and non-linearities caused by large deflections. Most existing accurate analytical models are restricted to single hinges. Therefore, this paper presents a non-linear analytical approach to calculate the elasto-kinematic properties of arbitrary planar compliant mechanisms. The approach is based on the theory for large deflections of rod-like structures. As a typical example, a compliant parallel four-bar linkage with varying compliant segments is investigated by means of the proposed analytical approach. The motion and deformation behavior are numerically calculated with the use of MATLAB®. It is shown, that the analytical results are in good correlation with FEM-based simulations and measurements of a manufactured prototype. To demonstrate the generality of the proposed method, two further and more complex mechanism examples are considered. As a result, the implemented modeling approach allows an accurate and fast analysis as well as synthesis of manifold planar compliant mechanisms with distributed or concentrated compliance.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2020.104067
Grundlegende Untersuchungen zur Entwicklung von fünfachsigen Nanopositioniermaschinen für Mess- und Fertigungszwecke. - In: Jahrbuch Optik und Feinmechanik, ISSN 0075-272X, Bd. 66 (2020), S. 67-92
Theoretical and experimental investigation of performance characteristics and design aspects of cross-spring pivots. - In: International journal of solids and structures, Bd. 185/186 (2020), S. 240-256
Cross-spring pivots have been widely employed over the last decades in a broad variety of precision engineering applications due to the high motion repeatability achieved thanks to the absence of stick slip and clearance. In this paper, the non-linear effect of the anticlastic curvature of the leaf-springs is considered for the accurate analytical modeling of the elasto-kinematic behavior of cross-spring pivots. Finite element analyses (FEA), based on a non-linear thin-shell model, are carried out in order to compare them with the analytical results for the main performance parameters of this type of device, i.e. center-shift, rotational stiffness and stress in the leaf-springs. Furthermore, an experimental setup is built to assess the applicability limits of both models. Finally, remarkable performance aspects of cross-spring pivots are discussed aiming for design improvements.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.08.023