Formation of nanotunnels inside a resist film in laser interference lithography

A few kinds of 2-diazo-1-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonates of poly(4-hydroxylstyrene) were prepared to form one-component i-line photoresists. In the laser interference lithography experiments of some of the photoresists, nanotunnels were observed to be aligned in the interior of the resist film. The shape and size of the nanotunnels remain virtually unchanged even under an increased exposure dose, indicating that the exposure energy is confined within the tunnel space. The formation of the nanotunnels results from the effect of standing waves and the permeation of developer from the surface deep into the resist films.