Advancing high resolution photolithography with hybrid polymers for wafer-scale manufacture of micro-optics and patterned passivation layers

Hybrid Polymers are a material class established in the industry for manufacturing of high-performance optical components, mainly patterned by (nano)imprint processes. Recently, the application range of Hybrid Polymers has been extended into bonding and passivation. In this context, patterning by classical UV-lithography has come into focus as an alternative patterning method to (nano)imprinting. By applying a two-stage curing process with a high intensity, low dose patterning step and a high dose flood exposure after development, it is possible to realize previously unattainable resolutions limits for Hybrid Polymers of 6μm L/S and aspect ratios of more than 3.