title: Patterning lines by capillary flows.
abstract: We report that capillary flows in an evaporating thin film create line patterns, with widths ranging from a few micrometers to less than 100 nm. Deliberate patterning of such lines requires contact-line pinning and the presence of foaming surfactants. Large-scale photolithography can guide and control these structures by creating pinning points and steering evaporation. We provide demonstrations of this process by making self-assembling lines of colloidal quantum dots and microspheres.
authors.affiliation: Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Laboratories of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vyawahare
authors.forename: Kate M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009038:Motion; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011789:Quantum Theory; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine