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Laser manipulation of atoms and nanofabrication

Erich Jurdik

Published Jan 1, 2001• 5 citations

Abstract

Fundamental interaction processes between atoms and photons are exploited to control external degrees of freedom of the atoms. Laser light, when properly tuned near an atomic resonance, exerts such forces that the atoms are repelled from or attracted to the regions with low light intensities. We use these forces to manipulate atom beams on nanometer-scale. In the simplest approach to nanofabrication via atom optics, a laser standing wave serves as a 'mask' through which the atoms are deposited onto a substrate. In this thesis we first present the modeling results on the focusing properties of a standing wave laser field and on the surface diffusion and growth phenomena in laser-focused atomic deposition. The development of our experimental facility for laser-manipulated deposition with chromium atoms (based on the obtained modeling results) is reported on. Thereafter, we demonstrate laser manipulation of chromium atoms and fabrication of nanostructures with these atoms. The results obtained in Nijmegen and also those obtained in collaboration with J.J. McClelland's group from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA) are analyzed with the aim of understanding the role of atom-optical and surface growth phenomena in the fabrication process of laser-focused nanostructures

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Fundamental interaction processes between atoms and photons are exploited to control external degrees of freedom of the atoms. Laser light, when properly tuned near an atomic resonance, exerts such forces that the atoms are repelled from or attracted to the regions with low light intensities. We use these forces to manipulate atom beams on nanometer-scale. In the simplest approach to nanofabrication via atom optics, a laser standing wave serves as a 'mask' through which the atoms are deposited onto a substrate. In this thesis we first present the modeling results on the focusing properties of a standing wave laser field and on the surface diffusion and growth phenomena in laser-focused atomic deposition. The development of our experimental facility for laser-manipulated deposition with chromium atoms (based on the obtained modeling results) is reported on. Thereafter, we demonstrate laser manipulation of chromium atoms and fabrication of nanostructures with these atoms. The results obtained in Nijmegen and also those obtained in collaboration with J.J. McClelland's group from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA) are analyzed with the aim of understanding the role of atom-optical and surface growth phenomena in the fabrication process of laser-focused nanostructures

The ability to fabricate nanometer-sized structures that are stable in air has the potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of new nanotechnologies and our understanding of nanoscale systems. Laser light can be used to control the motion of atoms on a nanoscopic scale. Chromium atoms were focused by a standing-wave laser field as they deposited onto a silicon substrate. The resulting nanostructure consisted of a series of narrow lines covering 0.4 millimeter by 1 millimeter. Atomic force microscopy measurements showed a line width of 65 +/- 6 nanometers, a spacing of 212.78 nanometers, and a height of 34 +/-+ 10 nanometers. The observed line widths and shapes are compared with the predictions of a semiclassical atom optical model.

We developed a laser-beam-controlled atom-manipulation system to deposit nanometric structure of atoms on a substrate. Atom beam of chromium is thermally evaporated and collimated with Doppler cooling technique using frequency-tuned laser diode. The gradient force is exerted on atoms by a standing wave over the substrate, and atoms are trapped in a low potential region of the standing wave. Consequently, a series of lines are formed on the substrate with the same periodicity to the standing wave. We present the analysis of trajectories of atoms in the light force potential to find conditions of the laser power, the sign and the degree of the detuning of the laser frequency from the resonance frequency of the atom, to reduce the width of the structure.

The techniques of atom optics can be applied during the deposition of atoms onto a surface to produce nanostructures. A laser is used to form a standing wave intensity pattern in front of the substrate. An atom beam, which has been collimated by optical means, is focused onto the substrate by dipole forces from the standing wave pattern so as to deposit a series of lines spaced by half the laser wavelength. We describe the fabrication of a Cr nanograting formed using this new technique. The experimental arrangement for deposition and the optical collimation of the atom beam are described. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the resulting nanostructures are presented.

We developed an atom-optical system that utilized a laser diode (LD) for both laser atom cooling and trapping. The LD is easy to maintain and operate, and is therefore suitable for engineering applications. The neutral atom beam of chromium was collimated by Doppler cooling and focused by a standing wave lens, and then directly deposited onto a silicon substrate. A nanograting structure with periodicity identical to the wavelength of the standing wave, 212.78 nm, was successfully achieved. The atom beam generation, collimating, focusing and deposition processes were experimentally and theoretically investigated.

Summary form only given. Laser focusing of neutral atoms is a unique approach for fabricating periodic small structures. In a standing wave formed by two counter-propagating laser beams, the radiation force acts as a sequence of cylindrical lenses that focus the atoms into a periodic array of parallel lines during deposition onto a substrate. In this way, a pattern is written onto the substrate without the use of any masks. To minimize the feature width on the substrate, the atoms entering the focusing laser must be highly collimated transversely by optical cooling.