Research Rotation Project

Nanopattern Formation on Ferroelectric Surfaces

Robert Nemanich
Home Department - Physics
Areas of Study - Our research has focused on growth, processing and characterization of surfaces, interfaces and nanostructures.
Office - PSB 452
Phone - 4809653561
E-mail - robert.nemanich@asu.edu
Designation - Experimental

This project involves the science of nanopattern formation through photo reduction on a polarity patterned ferroelectric surface of single crystal lithium niobate. The surfaces will be examined with an atomic force microscope to image the development of the nanowires. The microscope will also be operated in the piezo force mode (PFM) to image the electric polarity of the ferroelectric domains. Moreover, by applying a larger electric potential to the tip of the atomic force microscope, the ferroelectric domains will be patterned and employed for nano-lithography. Nano-patterns of silver nanowires will be prepared using a photochemical process where the chemical reactivity is enhanced at the ferroelectric domain boundaries. The project will analyze how the electric field distribution in the ferroelectric drives the nanopattern formation. The new focus of this research is on the role of a an adsorbed molecular surface layer to enhance the selectivity of the process.