Concepedia

Abstract

Image depth profiling with dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), using ion microscopy and digital imaging, provided high spatial resolution 3D images of patterned polymer films prepared from [Ru(Me4bpy)2(vpy)2]2+ and {Fe[(CH2Br)2bpy]3}2+. Although 3D SIMS has been widely applied to semiconductor device characterization, this study represents a first attempt to characterize conductive polymer arrays. The SIMS studies were useful in localizing the polymer domains, and the extent of polymer mixing within the film structures. Volume-rendered images and reconstructed local area depth profiles indicated that electropolymerization of the poly-Fe complex was not limited to the channels in the poly-Ru resist produced by optical lithography. Quantification of the SIMS image depth profiles required consideration of detection system nonlinearities, ion yield variations (especially transients at the film/substrate interface), and native and sputter induced roughness of the polymer films.