Nanotechnologien werden gegenwärtig als leistungsfähige Oberflächentechniken in erheblichem Umfange industriell genutzt. Dabei spielen dünne Schichten und deren Kenndaten eine wesentliche Rolle, z.B. als Röntgenspiegel oder optische und magnetooptische Datenträger. Die Schichtdicke zählt hierbei zu den technologisch wichtigen Parametern. Abgeleitet von Anwenderinteressen, werden für die Röntgenreflektometrie (XRR bzw. GIXR), Elektronenstrahl-Mikroanalyse (EPMA) und Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (XRF) einerseits und die Ellipsometrie andererseits zugeschnittene Schichtdickenmaßverkörperungen (SDM) entwickelt, gefertigt und untersucht. Das Ziel ist die Bereitstellung praxistauglicher, kalibrierter SDM, im weiteren Schichtdickennormale (SDN) genannt. SDN sind Maßverkörperungen, für die der Schichtdickenwert mit einer definierten Messunsicherheit bekannt und auf ein metrologisch anerkanntes Längennormal zurückgeführt ist. Berichtet wird über die Herstellung und messtechnische Charakterisierung der beiden spezifischen Varianten von Maßverkörperungen.
High-accuracy film thickness measurements in the range below 100 nm can be made by various complex methods like spectral ellipsometry (SE), scanning force microscopy (SFM), grazing incidence X-ray reflectometry (GIXR), or X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). The measurement results achieved with these methods are based on different interactions between the film and the probe. A key question in nanotechnology is how to achieve consistent results on a level of uncertainty below one nanometre with different techniques.
Two different types of thickness standards are realised. Metal film standards for X-ray techniques in the thickness range 10 to 50 nm are calibrated by GIXR with monochromatised synchrotron radiation of 8048 eV. The results obtained at four different facilities show excellent agreement. SiO2 on Si standards for SE and SFM in the thickness range 6 to 1000 nm are calibrated by GIXR with monochromatised synchrotron radiation of 1841 eV and with a metrological SFM. Consistent results within the combined uncertainties are obtained with the two methods. Surfaces and interfaces of both types of standards are additionally investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
The separation of colloidal nanocrystals from their original synthesis medium is an essential process step towards their application, however, the costs on a preparative scale are still a constraint. A new combination of approaches for the purification of hydrophobic Quantum Dots is presented, resulting in an efficient scalable process in regard to time and solvent consumption, using common laboratory equipment and low-cost materials. The procedure is based on a combination of solvent-induced adhesion and solid phase extraction. The platform allows the transition from manual handling towards automation, yielding an overall purification performance similar to one conventional batch precipitation/centrifugation step, which was investigated by thermogravimetry and gas chromatography. The distinct miscibility gaps between surfactants used as nanoparticle capping agents, original and extraction medium are clarified by their phase diagrams, which confirmed the outcome of the flow chemistry process. Furthermore, the solubility behavior of the Quantum Dots is put into context with the Hansen solubility parameters framework to reasonably decide upon appropriate solvent types.