title: Multilevel, room-temperature nanoimprint lithography for conjugated polymer-based photonics.
abstract: We demonstrate the multilevel patterning of organic light-emitting polymers by room-temperature nanoimprint lithography (RT-NIL), which is impossible to obtain by conventional hot embossing. In particular, we realize one- and two-dimensional photonic crystals with 500 nm periodic features and investigate the changes in the optical properties (luminescence and quantum yield) of the organic active layer. An increase of the quantum yield by 2.4% for the patterned film with respect to the untextured one and the enhancement of the output light emitted at a particular angle (Theta = 69 degrees) are observed for gratings whose Bragg periodicity matched the emission wavelength of the polymer. The employment of RT-NIL to pattern polymer semiconductors without degradation of their optical properties represents a strategic route for the realization of novel nanopatterned optoelectronic devices.
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Laboratory of INFM-CNR, c/o Distretto Tecnologico ISUFI, Università di Lecce, via Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy. elisa.mele@unile.it
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Persano
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cingolani
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pisignano