This project will investigate inorganic thin films deposited on chemically modified surfaces using pulsed laser vaporization. The work will be carried out under the direction of Dr. Eileen M. Spain at Occidental College under this Research Planning Grant supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program and the Office of Special Projects in the Chemistry Division. An organic layer will be placed on a Au(111) surface by self-assembly of n-alkanethiols. This will be followed by depositing thin films of transition metal chalcogenides onto the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) using pulsed laser vaporization in a vacuum system which will be locally constructed. After transfer to ambient conditions, the film morphology and structure will be imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The long range goal of this research by Dr. Spain and her undergraduate students is to understand the growth and nucleation of inorganic thin films on chemically modified substrates. Thin film technology involving layered structures is of the utmost importance to the microelectronics, adhesive, and lubricant industries. The properties of the interface between these film layers are critical to performance. The focus of this work is to develop an understanding of the interface between an inorganic film deposited on top of an organic film anchored to a metal. Results from these studies will advance our understanding of the structure of these interfaces and could lead to the manufacture of new layered materials.
