Question

Use your own words, describe Photolithography, Micromachining and Soft lithography.

Answer 1

Photolithography is the standard method of printed circuit board (PCB) and microprocessor fabrication. The process uses light to make the conductive paths of a PCB layer and the paths and electronic components in the silicon wafer of microprocessors The photolithography process involves light exposure through a mask to project the image of a circuit, much like a negative image in standard photography.  

Micromachining is removal of material using electron beam and other advance techniques in micro-miniature dimension. It offers the potential for fabricating a range of micro-sensors and MEMS for structural applications including load, vibration and acoustics characterization and monitoring.

Soft lithography is a family of techniques for fabricating or replicating structures using "elastomeric stamps, molds, and conformable photomasks".It is called "soft" because it uses elastomeric materials, most notably PDMS.