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Abstract

A method is disclosed for producing x-ray masks on graphite substrates inexpensively and rapidly. The method eliminates the need for an intermediate x-ray mask, instead using a less expensive intermediate UV lithography step. The absorber structures are electroplated directly onto the graphite. The capability to economically produce x-ray masks is expected to greatly enhance the commercial appeal of x-ray lithography in processes such as LIGA. The x-ray mask produced by this process comprises a graphite substrate that supports an absorber such as gold-on-nickel. The thickness of the absorber structures can be varied as needed to supply sufficient contrast for the particular application. A layer of a deep UV resist such as SU-8 is spin-coated directly onto a graphite substrate. The resist is then patterned with an UV mask using a UV radiation source. After developing the exposed resist, gold-on-nickel or other absorber structures are electroplated directly into the resist-covered graphite, and the resist is then removed.

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First Claim