Macroscopic arrays of magnetic nanostructures from self-assembled nanosphere templates.
We have extended the widely used technique of nanosphere lithography to produce nanosphere templates with significantly improved long-range order. Single, ordered domains stretching over areas greater than 1 cm2 have been achieved by assembling spheres with the correct surface chemistry on a water/air interface. Self-assembly over macroscopic areas is facilitated by a combination of electrostatic and capillary forces. The presented technique is easily implemented, and the assembled monolayers can be transferred onto almost any surface, thus making the procedure applicable to a broad range of nanoscale research. We demonstrate this through the fabrication of hexagonally ordered, macroscopic arrays of magnetic nanostructures with modified magnetic properties.
Weekes
Shemaiah M
SM
School of Physics, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QL, U.K. s.m.weekes@exeter.ac.uk
Ogrin
Feodor Y
FY
Murray
William A
WA
Keatley
Paul S
PS