Controlled nanochannel lattice formation utilizing prepatterned substrates

TL;DR

This paper explores how prepatterned substrates influence the formation of nanoscale stripe patterns during Langmuir-Blodgett transfer, enabling controlled pattern creation through synchronization effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of periodic substrate prepatterning to control and synchronize pattern formation in nanostructure fabrication processes.

Findings

Prepatterned substrates induce time-periodic forcing of pattern oscillations.

Higher order synchronization enables predefined wavelength pattern creation.

Prepatterning affects pattern selection and enhances control over nanostructure formation.

Abstract

Solid substrates can be endued with self-organized regular stripe patterns of nanoscopic lengthscale by Langmuir-Blodgett transfer of organic monolayers. Here we consider the effect of periodically prepatterned substrates on this process of pattern formation. It leads to a time periodic forcing of the oscillatory behavior at the meniscus. Utilizing higher order synchronization with this forcing, complex periodic patterns of predefined wavelength can be created. The dependence of the synchronization on the amplitude and the wavelength of the wetting contrast is investigated in one and two spatial dimensions and the resulting patterns are discussed. Furthermore, the effect of prepatterned substrates on the pattern selection process is investigated.