Patent ID: 9007566
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: G03B,G03F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for printing a desired periodic pattern of linear features into a photosensitive layer formed on a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a) a mask bearing a mask pattern of linear mask features that are parallel to a first direction; said linear mask features having a period that is twice that of the desired pattern; b) a means for arranging the photosensitive layer parallel to the mask and with a separation from the mask pattern; c) a means for generating monochromatic light at a wavelength; and d) a means that illuminates the mask pattern with said light with a range of angles that lies substantially in a plane parallel to said first direction, so that the light at each angle of illumination transmitted by the mask forms Talbot image planes and exposes the photosensitive layer to an angle-dependent transversal intensity distribution, whereby an integration of said distribution over the range of angles prints the desired periodic pattern; wherein the range of angles, the wavelength, the separation and the period are such that changing the angle of illumination across the range would cause a particular transversal intensity distribution initially exposing the photosensitive layer to displace longitudinally with respect to the layer by at least the distance between successive Talbot image planes formed by light at the mean angle of said range of angles.