MIT Develops Nanoruler 24
Makarand writes "MIT Researchers have developed
a device to make the most precise rulers - the Nanoruler,
whose "ticks" are mere nanometers apart.
The Nanoruler can pattern gratings of lines and spaces more accurately
than other methods across large surfaces more than 12 inches in diameter, a
capability important to a number of applications like preparing
larger wafers for the production of computer chips and higher-resolution space telescopes.
The Nanoruler works by using interference lithography where
two laser beams interfere with each other to produce interference "fringes", or
parallel planes of high and low light intensity.
These fringes are then recorded onto the surface
as lines and spaces using the same techniques used for tracing circuits onto silicon."
What we need now... (Score:2, Funny)
"ticks" (Score:1)
Patent pending? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Patent pending? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Patent pending? (Score:4, Informative)
to paraphrase the cliche: (Score:4, Funny)
Ha! (Score:5, Funny)
Other idea using light (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Other idea using light (Score:1, Interesting)
Hundreds of nm apart (Score:5, Informative)
The key to the grating is not how fine it is, because it's not, but how accurate it is over such a large scale. It's not nanotech, but a very precise microtech.
Re:Hundreds of nm apart (Score:1)
Finally! (Score:5, Funny)
Man I wish I could think of something more original than that. MORE COFFEE!
w00t (Score:1)
Hard to hold still enough (Score:2)
Re:Hard to hold still enough (Score:2)