摘要 |
<p>A process to produce ultra-small structures of between ones of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size, in which the structures are compact, nonporous and exhibit smooth vertical surfaces. Such processing is accomplished using a non-conductive or semi-conductive substrate on which a layer of a conductive material, such as a conductive polymer, is applied, and on which a second layer of a masking material, such as a pattern resist material, is applied. Following patterning of the second resist layer, and either the full or partial etching of the conductive polymer, or alternatively omitting the step of etching the conductive layer, electroplating techniques will be used to produce ultra-small structures on the substrate or alternatively directly on the conductive layer, after which either all of remaining portions of the conductive polymer layer and the resist layer will be removed, or only the resist layer will be removed, or alternatively neither will be removed.</p> |