Introduction :

Nano Technology was invented by Richard Feynman who discovered the idea of
building things at an atomic and molecular level. “Nano” is evolved from the
Greek word meaning “dwarf”. Nano is used as the prefix for units of 10-9.
Nano Technology is the controlled study of matter which is manipulated and
created at atomic and molecular scale. They are technically produced
structures that evolve from processes that exhibit the control of the physical
and chemical attributes of atoms and molecules.

Fig. 1 – Introduction to Nano Technology

They are used in wide range of applications such as medicine, electronics
and energy production. Nano technology has revolutionized our ability to
see the minute structures which are as small as one-billionth of a meter.

With the advancement of Nano Technology, toxicity and environmental impact

on global economy becomes the biggest concern and perhaps the major
challenge that lies ahead.

Fig. 2 – Natural and Man-made Nano Particles

The main aim of Nano fabrication is to synthesize ultra-fine and Nano sized
materials which is an important aspect in the development of innovative
products. The techniques used to fabricate Nano sized structures are
classified as:

Top Down Approach

Bottom Up Approach
Top-down and bottom-up are both strategies of information processing and
knowledge ordering, used in a variety of fields including software, humanistic
and scientific theories (see systemic), and management and organization. In
practice, they can be seen as a style of thinking, teaching, or leadership.
Definition of top-down approach:
The top-down approach basically breaks down a complex problem or
algorithm into multiple smaller pieces (units). These modules are further
degraded so that the resulting module is basically the main program
comprehensible and cannot decompose further. After achieving a certain level
of modularity, modular decomposition was stopped. The top-down approach is
the gradual process of breaking down a large software unit into simpler and
smaller ones in order to organize and codify the program in an efficient
manner. The flow of control in this approach is always in a downward
direction. The top-down approach is implemented in C by using functions.

Thus, the top-down method starts with an abstract design and then this design
is refined serially to create more realistic levels so that no further improvement
is required.

Example:

Public Health: The top-down approach in public health deals with programs
that are run by whole governments of intergovernmental organizations
(IGOs) that aid in combating worldwide health-related problems. HIV
control and smallpox eradication are two examples of top-down policies in
the public health sphere.

Top Down Approach of Fabrication in Nano

Technology

This is perceived as an approach where the building blocks are removed from
the substrate to form Nano structures. The Nano structures are synthesized
by etching out the substrate thus miniaturizing the existing technologies.
This method is best suited for producing structures at the scale of micrometer.
Top down approach is used in the fabrication of integrated circuits and severe
plastic deformation.

The advantage of this approach is the ability to include the required entity or a
feature in an exact location as the process is externally controlled.

Bottom Up Approach of Fabrication in Nano

Technology
This is perceived as an approach where building blocks are added onto the
substrates to form Nano structures. In this process the Nano structures are
synthesized onto the substrate by assembling atoms together which forms new
substrates. They further stack on each other resulting in the production of
Nano structures.

Bottom-up approach is used in the formation of quantum dots where the Nano
particles are formed from colloidal dispersion. This method is widely used in
chemical synthesis. It involves building more complex molecular devices
atom by atom.

They are best suited for assembling and establishing structures which are of
short range order at the scale of Nano Meter (nm). Fabrication in Bottom
Up approach is less expensive as compared to Top Down approach.
 Fig. 3 – Top Down and Bottom Up Approach in Nano Synthesis.

Methods of Nano Synthesis Using Top Down

Approach
Different methods use Top Down approach for Nano synthesis and fabrication.
The methods include:

o High Energy Ball Milling

o Photo Lithography
o Gas Condensation

High Energy Ball Milling

A ball mill comprises of a hollow cylindrical enclosure rotating on its axis. It
is
filled partially with balls which are made of steel, ceramic or rubber. As the
shell rotates the balls rise up and drop down on the metal precursor so that
the particles are ground.
The ball milling process is similar to grinding machine where in a powder
mixture is exposed to high energy collision from the balls which produces
finer oxide particles and this method is widely used in mechanical alloying.
The exposed powder particles are flattened and is followed by fracturing and
cold welding procedure where the particle size is reduced to micrometer
range.

In the final stage of mechanical alloying the particles are more refined,
homogenous and the size is considerably reduced and an alloy is
formed.

Fig. 4 – High Energy Ball Milling Process

Photo Lithography
The word “Lithography” is derived from a Greek word where “Lithos” means
stone and “graphy” means to write. In ancient times paper was pressed against
stone to transfer the pattern.

A pattern was drawn on the stone and colored using printing ink. When
this patterned stone was pressed against the paper the design was
successfully
transferred. Several lithography techniques were explored using
these fundamentals.

Hence, Lithography can be defined as the patterning of a required design on

the substrate using different medium (UV light, X-ray, and e-beam) is known
as lithography.

Fig. 5 – Process of Photo Lithography

In this method, positive photo resists is exposed to UV light which changes

the chemical structure of the resist. The exposed area is dissolved in a
developer solution. Negative resists behave in an exactly opposite manner.

The areas that are exposed to UV light does not get dissolved but gets
polymerized. In the subsequent stage of synthesis, mask alignment and
etching are done using chemicals like acids.

Once this is completed, the resists are further subjected to stripping leaving
behind the desired pattern. This technique is applied in designing
integrated circuits. Other types of Lithography includes Electron beam (e-
beam) Lithography and X-ray Lithography.
Gas Condensation
Gas condensation uses a vacuum chamber that consists of a heating element,
the feed (metal that is to be reduced), deposit chamber and vacuum hardware.
Inert
gas (He, Xe, Ar) at high pressure is used in this process to initiate
particle formation.

Initial stage of the process includes melting of the feed (metal) which is
imported onto the heating element. The temperature rises which is
slightly below the boiling point so that sufficient vapor pressure is
achieved.

Fig. 6 – Gas Condensation

The evaporated metal moves away from the heated element by the gas
flowing through the chamber. The gas cools down the metal vapor and the
Nano particles are formed.

These particles are still in liquid state and further collision takes place when it
is subjected to controlled environment so that the particles formed have
specific shape and texture.
They are further cooled down to attain a solid state. The process completes
with a coating of a material on to the particles which prevents interaction with
other Nano particles as they are very reactive.

Advantages and disadvantages

The top-down approach makes it possible to quickly define and conceptualize
the project and to divide it into easily manipulated sub-parts. It therefore makes
it possible to have a global view of the final project and to give a rapid,
although approximate, estimate of its complexity and cost.

An important indictment against the top-down approach1 was made by Richard

Feynman in his report on the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger accident:
according to him, the top-down approach forces premature design decisions
and makes corrections much more difficult. of design than the bottom-up
approach where we constantly start from what is well known and solidly
mastered.
Conclusion :
Top-down approach involves the breaking down of the bulk material into
nanosized structures or particles. Top-down synthesis techniques are extension
of those that have been used for producing micron sized particles. ... The
biggest problem with the top-down approach is the imperfection of surface
structure.

The advantage of this approach is that decisions can be made and implemented
very quickly. This is particularly important when time is limited. The other
benefit of top-down project planning is that it helps align the project goals with
the organization's strategic goals as upper management is giving the
directions.