The present invention is directed to methods for patterning a substrate by imprint
lithography. An imprint lithography method includes placing a curable liquid on
a substrate. A template may be contacted with the curable liquid. Surface forces
at the interface of the curable liquid and the template cause the curable liquid
to gather in an area defined by a lower surface of the template. Alternately, the
curable liquid may fill one or more relatively shallow recesses in the template
and the area under the template lower surface. Activating light is applied to the
curable liquid to form a patterned layer on the substrate.