Time‐Resolved Plasmonics used to On‐Line Monitor Metal/Elastomer Deposition for Low‐Voltage Dielectric Elastomer Transducers. (12th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Töpper, Tino; Lörcher, Samuel; Deyhle, Hans; Osmani, Bekim; Leung, Vanessa; Pfohl, Thomas; Müller, Bert
• Is Part Of: Advanced Electronic Materials. Volume 3:Number 8(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-06-12
• Subjects: nanometer‐thin gold films -- organic molecular beam deposition -- polydimethylsiloxane self‐assembly -- spectroscopic ellipsometry; Materials -- Electric properties -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Magnetic materials -- Periodicals; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Periodicals; 537
• DOI: 10.1002/aelm.201700073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2199-160X

Abstract

Abstract : Compliant hetero‐nanostructures provide access to nano‐photonics, flexible electronics, and artificial muscles. These nanometer‐thin polymers and metals are regularly predicated on molecular beam deposition—a technique that leads reliably to homogeneous films and enables the precise in situ monitoring of forming nanostructures. Herein, it is demonstrated that spectroscopic ellipsometry can be used to on‐line monitor film formation with a sub‐nanometer resolution and the evolution of the related optical properties of the hetero‐nanostructure. The data recorded include plasmonic fingerprints of Au islands as well as film formation on self‐assembled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Bi‐functionalized thiol‐PDMS, tailored for thermal deposition, serves as a self‐assembled adhesion layer for Au electrodes. Suppressed localized plasmonic activity indicates the formation of a homogeneous Au film on thiol‐PDMS and wrinkled Cr/PDMS, contrary to the well‐known establishment of Au islands on bare PDMS. The tailored hetero‐nanostructures based on Au/thiol‐PDMS and Au on wrinkled Cr/PDMS adhesion layers enable the fabrication of stretchable electronics and low‐voltage dielectric elastomer sensors and actuators for artificial muscles and tunable optics. Abstract : Assembly of nanometer‐sized multi‐layered metal/elastomer heterostructures for soft compliant dielectric devices is tailored using organic molecular beam deposition combined with in situ s pectroscopic ellipsometry. Its sub‐nanometer resolution is additionally complemented by real‐space atomic force microscopy. Functionalizing adhesion layers, either by localized AuS bonds or pre‐stretched, nanometer‐sized Cr films, can substantially improve the homogeneity and stability of Au films deposited on polydimethylsiloxane membranes.