Alternatively, if a precision polishing surface is required, the above structure can be etched to remove the Au, thereby producing a near perfect TiN polishing surface.  If a carbide polishing surface is preferable, the initial deposition can be produced with the appropriate carbide system.  

Furthermore, if a nano-dimensional template or a nano-dimensional filter is required the TiN and Au can be deposited in a cylindrical form.   Where upon etching the Au results in a TiN structure with cylindrical pores along one axis.   If nano-dimensional wires are desired, they can be produced by capillary action or by simple choice of the deposition materials and appropriate etching.

SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPAL
The underlying principle of the invention revolves around the mechanisms of stress reduction in thin films.  Thin films, like those found in conventional deposition technologies, are prone to deformation and reduced performance due to the stresses of different crystal lattice parameters.  These lattice differentials are present between the different components in a deposition, the substrate, and the deposition itself.   These stresses are a function of the mobility of adatoms within the deposition and the affinity of a species to agglomerate with itself and other species.  Another way of viewing this is, how willing is a species to combine with other adatoms (both of the same and different species).  It is well known that just a few percent difference in lattice parameters creates huge stresses in a film. These stresses are a natural occurrence and are a function of how mobile a species is, its’ surface activity, and the associated chemical and physical potential energies.   These parameters are well known, and for most species, can be found in the appropriate literature.  Operators in the field of deposition technology do all that is possible to minimize these effects in order to produce depositions with the minimum amount of stress.  The technology presented here utilizes these stresses and by defining the deposition parameters, encourages these stresses to produce depositions with a structured nature.  In the application of this technology we are not fighting the inherent nature of the materials and their behavior.  Rather, this technology encourages the stress evolution and the natural stress relief mechanisms resulting in controlled growth into both the horizontal and vertical planes.

This methodology can be realized by the precise control of the deposition parameters, which enables and defines the physics of stress expulsion.   Thus, consecutive depositions of materials X, Y, and Z etc. at proper conditions produce 3D anisotropic structures defined by the user on a nanometer to micron scale. The structure formed is a function of the deposition parameters of each individual component.

PROOF OF CONCEPT
In one of our test samples, we selected a two-component system comprised of gold (Au) and titanium nitride (TiN).   In general, there are three possible structures for consecutive coatings of two different materials; a multilayer structure, a non-structured deposition and by application of this technology a three dimensional engineered structure. The deposition parameters were established so that a carrot like structure was deposited.   The resulting deposition was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the case of thin films, 200 – 300 nanometers, XRD provides information about the structure of all metals or compounds in the film, in this case Au and TiN.   The initial XRD trace recorded both Au and TiN. If we selectively etched one of the components, for example Au; we will see a XRD spectra for TiN, only if the coating has a carrot-like structure.  If the structure was multilayered or non-structured, etching would remove only the surface Au and a gold XRD trace would also be recorded. In order to demonstrate that the deposition was indeed carrot like, we chemically etched Au from the deposition using a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids.  The deposition was then re-analyzed by XRD.   The resulting XRD, figure 5, showed no trace of gold, which proves that the deposition was structured as defined by the process.

Strength enhanced coatings                                                                                                           This technology can be applied to stamping and cutting applications, automotive, aerospace, medical and structural components.   Cutting tools can be produced with cost effective materials and subsequently deposited with a structured material to increase strength and toughness.  Used tools can be re-coated to original dimensions.   Structured depositions could greatly prolong tool life.    Coatings may prolong and protect CD's, by itself a multi-billion dollar industry.   Other applications include medical tools, precision mechanical tools, drill bits, coatings for machined parts used in abrasive environments, bearings, and optical coatings to name but a few. 

Wear resistant optical                                                                                                                     The introduction of fiber optics to replace conventional connection and transmission lines may require novel structures to enable contacts, switches and protective coatings.   Ultra thing coatings may also enable user-defined applications such as corrosion resistance using silver nitride and integration possibilities.   User defined coatings may also enable the coating of engineered systems to replace breakable glass and to facilitate optical to electrical junctions.