Non-local bound states in the continuum for nanoscale alignment

In the semiconductor microelectronics industry, overcoming the limitations of the optical diffraction limit is crucial for multiple exposure alignment technology. Here we present a method that utilizes bound states in the continuum (BICs), a physical phenomenon in optics, to address this challenge. The transition from BIC to quasi-BIC caused by out-of-plane asymmetry (that is, displacements between different layers) is studied through simulations and experiments. Results illustrate the emergence of resonance and evolution in the quality factor with increasing asymmetry. Measured Q factors decrease from near-infinite to 66 as the displacement increases from 0 to 110 nm, providing a sensitive metric for…

• CU
  City University of Hong Kong

  Awards: 9360148, 9380131
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 62375232