Nanotechnology involves creating and analyzing structures and devices at the nanoscale, which is usually between one and 100 nanometers (nm). Some examples include:

• In optical telecommunication, the creation of gratings with pitch control well below 1 nm via electron beam lithography enables wavelength division multiplexing.

• In semiconductors, lithography systems pattern structures highest resolution, precision, and throughput. With AI powered inspection and metrology the lab-to-fab transition for next-generation chips is enabled.

• In photonics, nanoscale waveguides, gratings, diffractive optical elements and metasurfaces are fabricated to manipulate light on chip-scale.

• In quantum-technologies, precise nanostructuring of matter enables the production of quantum devices at the atomic or few-nanometre scale with superior quantum coherence.

RAITH systems are integral to this work, providing the patterning accuracy, beam stability, and process repeatability required to manufacture analyze these and other structures.

Although RAITH focuses on research and industrial development, our customers' work extends into everyday products. Examples include:

• High-frequency electronics

• Solar cells

• Optical telecommunication

• AR/VR devices

• Miniaturized sensors and diagnostics

• Improved materials in electronics, optics, and energy storage

These nanotechnology applications demonstrate the influence of fundamental nanoscale processes on modern life, power efficiency, and technological innovation.

A nanodevice is any component or system that relies on structures engineered at the nanometer scale to achieve unique electrical, optical, mechanical, or quantum properties. Typical examples include:

• Nanoscale transistors
  Modern, high-performance semiconductor chips use transistors with gate lengths below 10 nm. At this scale, the behavior of electrons changes significantly, enabling faster switching, lower power consumption, and higher device density.

• Photonic nanostructures, such as nanogratings, waveguides, and metasurfaces
  These structures are used in optical communication, sensors, and integrated photonics and control light with extreme precision. Examples include nanoscale gratings used for wavelength filtering and compact waveguides etched into photonic integrated circuits.

• Quantum Dots
  These are nanometer-sized semiconductor particles that exhibit discrete quantum energy levels. They are used in quantum communication, displays, sensors, and photonic devices, which require precise control of light emission.

• Nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS)
  These are ultra-small mechanical structures that can detect tiny forces, masses, or vibrations. They are used in high-sensitivity sensors and research instrumentation.

• Single-photon sources and detectors
  Quantum devices built with nanostructures that can emit or detect individual photons. They are essential for quantum computing, quantum sensing, and optical quantum communication.

• Holographic and diffractive nano-optical elements
  These are nanopatterned surfaces that shape or steer light for applications such as AR/VR displays, holographic projectors, and advanced imaging systems.

• Nanoscale plasmonic devices
  These structures manipulate surface plasmons (oscillations of electrons at metal surfaces) to create ultra-compact optical components, and enhance sensing.