title: Growth dynamics of self-assembled monolayers in dip-pen nanolithography.
abstract: Using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied the growth mechanism of self-assembled monolayers in dip-pen nanolithography. A molecule dropping from the tip kicks out a molecule sitting on the substrate, and the displaced molecule in turn kicks out a molecule next to it. This kicking propagates and finally stops when it hits the periphery of the monolayer. This monolayer growth is faster than predicted from the previous diffusion theory. Increasing the molecule-substrate binding strength enhances the molecular deposition rate and makes the monolayer well-ordered.
authors.affiliation: School of Nano Science & Technology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea 609-735.
authors.forename: Yoonho
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Seunghun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Joonkyung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jang