Direct low-energy electron beam nanolithography

We describe here an alternative approach to direct low-energy electron beam nanolithography process with no conventional deposition of any resist or self-assembled monolayer. The method is based on direct formation of ultrathin dielectric layer on electron irradiated surface, without generation of structural defects. High-quality electron-induced patterns with lateral resolutions of about 10 nm are demonstrated on SiO₂ surface.