Mass-Production Nanoimprinter for Hard Disk and Optical Disc Media

Local precision equipment manufacturer Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd. together with A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and Data Storage Institute (DSI) has built a machine capable of producing nanometersize components and in wafer-scale volumes, for a host of applications in consumer electronics such as hard disk media and optical storage media.

The imprinter’s top and bottom assembly
allows a disk to be imprinted on both sides at one go.

IMRE’s nanoimprint lithography and DSI’s hard disk media technologies were licensed to Solves Innovative Technology to design a production-grade nanoimprint system for the manufacturing of patterned media for hard disk drives. The prototype improves conventional nanoimprinting processes with its new features such as double-sided imprinting to reduce processing time; a customised dosing system; and imprinting in vacuum to prevent air bubbles, for more accurate patterning.

This system makes use of IMRE’s technology in nanoimprint lithography to create a process for making complex, 3-dimensional nanometer structures. The system also utilises a joint DSI-Solves invention that spreads the resist on the substrates. A patent is also being filed for another technology which is related to dosing resist.

Mr Koh Teng Hwee, Managing Director of Solves Innovative Technology, said: “The collaboration with IMRE and DSI accelerated the development of this tool without having to start from scratch. The nanoimprint and recording media research expertise of IMRE and DSI had significantly facilitated the design of the prototype. We were also able to tap on IMRE’s advanced measurement and characterization equipment that we might otherwise have to buy.”

A researcher from IMRE was seconded to the company to facilitate the technology transfer, while a DSI research engineer worked on-site to help implement the technology. The A*STAR know-how and patent will enable the company to compete internationally in patterned media manufacturing.

“Nanoimprint lithography is no longer just an R&D tool but is increasingly finding a niche in manufacturing due to higher output, greater accuracy patterning, and lower cost. We are glad that our expertise has helped Solves Innovative Technology to accelerate their entry into this technology”, said Dr Low Hong Yee, the Research Scientist who is leading the nanoimprint lithography effort in IMRE.

“Patterned media technology is an important approach to produce high capacity hard disk drives. We are delighted that Solves Innovative Technology could apply DSI’s know-how in patterned media to develop a low cost and high throughput machine in such a rapid manner. This machine will be a boost for the hard disk media industry”, said Dr. S.N. Piramanayagam, the Senior Scientist who is leading the patterned media effort in DSI.

“The success of this collaboration is a testament to the quality of the basic research work and how even at that level of research there are opportunities for applications in industry”, said Professor Chong Tow Chong, Executive Director of A*STAR’s Science and Engineering Research Council, which oversees IMRE and DSI.

Solves Innovative Technology is currently in talks with a major multinational media manufacturer to implement the system locally.