US 7,253,409 B2 · Electrochemical nano-patterning using ionic conductors

Abstract

The present invention provides nano-patterning based on flow of an ion current within an ionic conductor to bring ions in proximity to a microscope probe tip touching a surface of the conductor. These ions are then electrochemically reduced to form one or more features on the surface. Ion current flow and the electrochemical reaction are driven by an electrical potential difference between the tip and the ionic conductor. Such features can be erased by reversing the polarity of the potential difference. Indentations can be formed by mechanically removing features formed as described above. The ions in the ion current can be provided by the ionic conductor and/or by oxidation at a counter electrode.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for patterning a surface of an ionic conductor, the method comprising:

providing an electrically conductive probe tip in contact with a selected location on the surface, wherein an interface is between the probe tip and the selected location;
providing an electrical potential difference between the probe tip and a part of the ionic conductor, wherein the potential difference induces an ion current within the ionic conductor, and wherein the potential difference induces an electrochemical reaction involving the ion current at the interface;
forming a topographic feature at the selected location, wherein the topographic feature comprises a reduced product of the electrochemical reaction, and wherein the topographic feature is removable by altering the electrical potential difference.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrochemical nano-patterning using ionic conductors

Life of this patent

Electrochemical nano-patterning using ionic conductors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15