Cantilever-free thermal actuation

Keith A. Brown, Daniel J. Eichelsdoerfer, Chad A. Mirkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors report the characterization and optimization of thermal actuators based upon thin elastomeric films on glass slides with integrated microheaters. By performing a systematic study of actuation performance with respect to heater size and elastomeric film thickness, the relationships between these parameters and actuation speed, efficiency, and crosstalk are elucidated. Combining these experimental studies with calculated temperature profiles provides an estimate of the maximum attainable actuation, which is predicted to be as large as 20% of the elastomeric film thickness. Based on these results, the authors provide a strategy for optimizing actuator geometry for a desired application in terms of selected actuation range and temperature tolerance. These results can be used to explore the feasibility of applying thermal actuation in a massively parallel format in low-cost microelectromechanical systems for applications such as high throughput, individually addressable cantilever-free scanning probe lithography.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number6F201
JournalJournal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures
Volume31
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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