Nanoscale embossing of polymers using a thermoplastic die

In this paper we present a novel mechanical pattern transfer process where direct written perspex substrates are used as the master dies for embossing. Using this nanofabrication process we have produced efficient diffractive optical elements. The yield, repeatability and efficiency of the original perspex samples are excellent and these characteristics are carried over into the replicas. At a smaller scale we have fabricated arrays of 60nm diameter nanopillars with excellent uniformity over large areas which have been successfully applied in cell engineering applications.