• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2015

Ultrasonic imprinting is a micropattern replication technology for a thermoplastic polymer surface that uses ultrasonic vibration energy; it has the advantages of a short cycle time and low energy consumption. Recently, ultrasonic imprinting has been further developed to extend its functionality: (i) selective ultrasonic imprinting using mask films and (ii) repetitive ultrasonic imprinting for composite pattern development. In this study, selective ultrasonic imprinting was combined with repetitive imprinting in order to replicate versatile micropatterns. For this purpose, a repetitive imprinting technology was further extended to utilize mask films, which enabled versatile micropatterns to be replicated using a single mold with micro-prism patterns. The replicated hybrid micropatterns were optically evaluated through laser light images, which showed that versatile optical diffusion characteristics can be obtained from the hybrid micropatterns.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2013

The present study examines the micro-pattern replication on a plastic film using ultrasonic imprinting. Ultrasonic imprinting uses ultrasonic waves to generate repetitive microscale deformation in the polymer film. The resulting deformation heat on the surface of the film causes the surface region to soften sufficiently so that a replication of the micro-pattern can be obtained. To successfully replicate the micro-pattern on a large area of polymer film, a high replication ratio is needed as well as good uniformity over the entire region. In this study, a horn design is investigated by finite element analysis and is optimized through a response surface analysis. In the ultrasonic imprinting experiments, the response surface method was also used to determine the optimal processing conditions for better replication characteristics.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Ultrasonic imprinting is a novel process for replicating micropatterns on thermoplastic polymer substrates with low energy consumption and short cycle time. The polymer substrate is softened by the frictional heat and repetitive deformation energy under ultrasonic excitation; thus, a number of micropatterns are replicated on the softened polymer substrate. In the present work, the effect of mold temperature on the replication characteristics of ultrasonic imprinting is investigated. The temperature change in the patterned region is measured by varying the mold temperature. Numerical simulation is then performed for investigating pattern replication characteristics under various mold temperatures. In addition, pattern replication ratio and uniformity are compared through various experimental measurements. Through the results of these comparisons, it is found that the mold temperature has a significant positive effect on the replication characteristics of ultrasonic imprinting.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1256-1263
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• 2012

The present study covers the ultrasonic patterning process to replicate micro-patterns on a polymer substrate. The ultrasonic patterning process uses ultrasonic waves to generate frictional heat between an ultrasonic horn and the polymer substrate, from which the surface region of the polymer substrate is softened sufficiently for the replication of micro-patterns. The ultrasonic patterning process can divided into two categories according to the direction of vibration transmission: direct patterning and indirect patterning. The direct patterning uses a patterned horn, and the ultrasonic vibration is transferred directly from the patterned horn to the substrate. On the contrary, the indirect patterning process uses a plain horn, and the micro-patterns are engraved on a mold that is located below the substrate. Thus, the micro-patterns are replicated as an indirect manner. In this study, these direct and indirect patterning processes are compared in terms of the replication characteristics. Additionally, the possibility of double-side patterning is also discussed in comparison with the conventional single-side patterning process.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.4 s.193
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• pp.153-158
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• 2007

Recently nano imprint lithography to fabricate photonic crystal on polymer is preferred because of its simplicity and short process time and ease of precise manufacturing. But, the technique requires the precise mold as an imprinting tool for good replication. These molds are made of the silicon, nickel and quartz. But this is not desirable due to complex fabrication process, high cost. So, we describe a simple, precise and low cost method of fabricating PDMS stamp to make the photonic crystals. In order to fabricate the PDMS mold, we make the original pattern with designed hole array by finding the optimal electron beam writing condition. And then, we have tried to fabricate PDMS mold by the replica molding with ultrasonic vibration and pressure system. We have used the cleaning process to solve the detaching problem on the interface. Using these methods, we acquired the PDMS mold for photonic crystals with characteristics of a good replication. And the accuracy of replication shows below 1% in 440nm at diameter and in 610nm at lattice constant by dimensional analysis by SEM and AFM.