nanoETCH

nanoETCH systems implement Moorfield's unique Soft Etching technology and provide the fine control crucial for numerous etching applications including graphene, 2D materials and many more, all in a compact, benchtop package.
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nanoETCH
Techniques
Plasma etching

The nanoETCH is a benchtop tool equipped with a high-uniformity plasma etching stage and an RF power supply for plasma generation. The tool was originally developed in collaboration with the graphene group at the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester, UK. This development was driven by the requirement within the research community for an etching tool that allowed for precision etching of sensitive 2D materials — not available in conventional RIE tools.

Today, the nanoETCH is available in two configurations: for Soft Etching, ideal for delicate work with graphene and 2D materials, and for fluorine-chemistry plasmas for applications needing a more aggressive approach.

nanoETCH tools can be fitted with stages for 3″/75mm, 4″/100 mm or 6″/150 mm maximum substrate diameters.

Today, nanoETCH tools are installed globally in leading graphene/2D material research labs including ICFO (Spain), the Cambridge Graphene Centre and the UK National Graphene Institute.

Soft Etching

Soft Etching is the application of precisely-controlled low powers for etching applications involving highly sensitive materials (such as graphene) or where ultra-low etch rates are needed. This allows for the routine use of plasma powers <5 W (down to 100 mW or below, subject to configuration and process), with up to 10 mW control resolution.

Examples of applications of Soft Etching are:

  • Substrate preparation for mechanical exfoliation: When preparing 2D material ‘flakes’ via mechanical exfoliation (also known as the sticky-tape method), the nature of the substrate surface is crucial. Soft Etching tools are now being used to obtain the topological and chemical substrate surface properties necessary for producing large flake areas.
  • 2D material patterning: Given their thinness, 2D materials are fragile and require finely-controlled etching conditions for device fabrication. Soft Etching technology provides this control and also allows for patterning without cross-linking common mask photoresists (e.g., PMMA).
  • Defect engineering: A key research theme for graphene science is defect engineering. Through controlled low plasma-powers, soft-etching technology is being used for creating point defects in lattices for implementing control over this aspect of the material. Fine control is necessary for reproducible results and to avoid uncontrolled material destruction.

For Soft Etching with graphene and 2D materials, tools are typically fitted for Ar and O2 process gases.

Fluorine-Chemistry Etching

For more aggressive etch processes, nanoETCH systems can be configured for use with the fluorine-chemistry etchant gases SF6 and CHF3. For this, tools are equipped with a range of hardware and software enhancements.

Recent applications of fluorine-chemistry nanoETCH tools have included:

  • h-BN sidewalls: A pit was etched into a multi-layer stack of h-BN, using Moorfield etching technology contained within a MiniLab 026. With SF6 as the etchant gas and a Soft Etching approach, just 7–8 layers of material were removed during a 2 minute process. Residual roughness at the bottom of the pt was just 1 atomic layer.
  • h-BN bulk etching: By changing conditions, much higher etch rates were possible. Users were able to achieve an etch depth of 130 nm at a rate of 1.1 nm/s.
  • SiO2 etching: A thermally oxidised Si wafer was etched using a nanoETCH tool using CHF3 as etchant gas. An ultra-low etch rate of ~1.3 Å/s was obtained, allowing for excellent control.
Download the nanoETCH product brochure
Key features
  • Benchtop configuration
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  • Soft-etching technology: Precision RF power <30 W
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  • MFC-controlled process gases
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  • Up to 6”/150 mm diameter stages
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  • Fully automatic operation via touchscreen HMI
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  • Define/save multiple process recipes
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  • PC connection for data-logging
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  • Base pressures <5 × 10-7mbar
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  • Equipped for easy servicing
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  • Comprehensive safety features
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  • Cleanroom compatible
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  • Proven performance
    • Options
  • Dry backing pump
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  • Fast chamber vent
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  • Ultra-high resolution RF power control
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  • Automatic high-resolution pressure control
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  • Additional process gases
    • Typical configurations

    Graphene Soft Etching
    nanoETCH base package with high-resolution RF power control, Ar and O2 etchant gases, capacitance manometer and high-resolution gas and automatic pressure control, and a 3”, 4” or 6” diameter substrate stage.

    Fluorinated Etchant Gases for RIE
    nanoETCH base package with fluorinated gases module for SF6 or CHF3, automatic purge and cleaning routines, capacitance manometer and high-resolution gas and automatic pressure control, and a 3”, 4” or 6” diameter substrate stage.

    Service requirements

    All nanoETCH systems require chilled water, dry compressed air, nitrogen for venting (optional), process gas supplies, and electrical power. Exact requirements will be provided with quotations or on request.

    Get a quote for nanoETCH

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    Moorfield Nanotechnology Limited. Unit 1 Wolfe Close, Parkgate Industrial Estate, Knutsford, Cheshire, United Kingdom. WA16 8XJ. ©2022 Moorfield Nanotechnology Limited.
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