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MIT Develops Nanoruler
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."
It should be patented, with a portion commensurate to the proportion funded by the government going into a fund for general research.