6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Microfabrication of gratings and spot-pattern arrays using proton beam writing for applications in advanced MEMS

8 Jul 2026, 11:40
20m
Lecture Hall GH1 (University of the Western Cape)

Lecture Hall GH1

University of the Western Cape

Oral Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials

Speaker

Mr Kamogelo Mashiloane (iThemba LABS)

Description

This study investigated the fabrication of microstructures in poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) positive resist using proton beam writing (PBW) technique. PBW is an advanced new direct write microfabrication technique capable of writing high aspect ratio (HAR) structures over a variety of previously studied potential resist materials. In this study 3-MeV proton beam was used at fluences between 101 – 248 nC/mm2 to write 3-dimentional microstructures of different patterns in PMMA. The written molds were subsequently subjected to metallic filling through the use of electroplating technique. The patterns were fabricated onto a PMMA/Cu/Cr/Si multilayer films, in this stack the metallic films were deposited by e-beam evaporation and the polymer was deposited by spin coating method. SEM and AFM analysis revealed the morphology and topography of the written spot-like and gratings patterns, smallest feature detail down to 650 nm with smooth sidewall quality has been achieved. The objective of this study was to optimize PBW technique at i-Themba LABS for high precision microfabrication, for applications in advanced micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) including microchips, semi-conductors and other device engineering technologies.

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Author

Mr Kamogelo Mashiloane (iThemba LABS)

Co-authors

Fhulufhelo Nemangwele (University of Venda) Nametso Mongwaketsi (NRF iThemba LABS) Zakhelumuzi Khumalo (NRF-iThemba LABS)

Presentation materials

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