Patent ID: 8685862

Claim:
A micropattern forming method for continuously forming micropatterns on a substrate, the micropatterns each corresponding to a transfer micropattern formed on a mold, the micropattern forming method comprising: a first covering step of covering a surface of a lower transfer material in a substrate with a film of an upper transfer material, the substrate having its surface covered with a film of the lower transfer material; a first transfer step of transferring the transfer micropattern onto the upper transfer material formed in the first covering step by pressing the mold against the substrate having the film of the upper transfer material provided on its surface by the first covering step; a first micropattern forming step of forming a micropattern on the lower transfer material by etching after the transfer of the micropattern by the first transfer step, the micropattern corresponding to the transfer micropattern on the mold; a first removal step of removing the upper transfer material provided in the first covering step after the formation of the micropattern by the first micropattern forming step; a second covering step of covering the surface of the lower transfer material with a film of the upper transfer material after the removal of the upper transfer material in the first removal step; a second transfer step of transferring the transfer micropattern onto the upper transfer material formed in the second covering step by pressing a mold against the substrate having the film of the upper transfer material provided on its surface by the second covering step; a second micropattern forming step of forming a micropattern on the lower transfer material by etching after the transfer of the micropattern by the second transfer step, the micropattern corresponding to the transfer micropattern on the mold; a second removal step of removing the upper transfer material provided in the second covering step after the formation of the micropattern by the second micropattern forming step; a third micropattern forming step of forming the micropattern on the substrate by etching after the removal of the upper transfer material in the second removal step, the micropattern corresponding to the micropattern on the lower transfer material; and a third removal step of removing the lower transfer material after the formation of the micropattern by the third micropattern forming step.