Patent ID: 7833904
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: H01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for fabricating nanoscale electrodes separated by a nanogap, the method comprising: (a) a first lithographic patterning step which defines a first electrode pattern on a substrate; (b) depositing a first electrode onto the substrate as a first electrode metal film, the first electrode deposited on and contacting a first layer of material; (c) depositing a second metal film on top of the first electrode metal film; (d) oxidizing the second metal film such that a metal oxide layer forms on top of the second metal film and extends laterally, due to the oxidizing, over the edge of the second metal film such that the metal oxide layer forms an overhang over one or more edges of the second metal film and the first electrode metal film, the overhang having a bottom surface, the overhang laterally adjacent the first and second metal films such that a space is formed between the bottom surface of the overhang and the first layer; (e) a second lithographic patterning step which defines a second electrode pattern on the substrate; (f) depositing a second electrode onto the substrate as a metal film, the second electrode deposited on and contacting the first layer of material, the second electrode deposited after forming the overhang; and (g) removing the metal oxide layer to form a gap between the first and second electrodes.