Formation of uniaxial molecular films by liquid-crystal imprinting in a magnetic field
Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to study molecular order in monolayer organic films formed by solution-phase growth from thermotropic liquid crystal solvents. The films develop macroscopically uniaxial alignment, with adlayer orientation controlled by an external magnetic field through interactions mediated by the liquid crystal. Results are presented for two films deposited from nematic and smectic- A solvents, along with a discussion of the alignment mechanism.
Mougous
JD
Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225, USA.
Brackley
AJ
Foland
K
Baker
RT
Patrick
DL