AVS 46th International Symposium
    Applied Surface Science Division Friday Sessions
       Session AS-FrM

Paper AS-FrM10
High Resolution Sum Frequency Generation of a Rubbed Octadecyltriethoxysilane Self Assembled Monolayer on Glass

Friday, October 29, 1999, 11:20 am, Room 6A

Session: New or Improved Surface Related Analytical Techniques
Presenter: T.E. Furtak, Colorado School of Mines
Authors: T.E. Furtak, Colorado School of Mines
B.C. Chow, Colorado School of Mines
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Over the last decade, optical sum-frequency generation(SFG) has made the acquisition of vibrational spectra of surface species possible. However, the SFG instrumentation that has usually been employed suffers from low spectral resolution due to the use of band-width-limited picosecond lasers. Using a nanosecond source, we have been able to achieve a resolution nearly two orders of magnitude better than that characterized by a picosecond source. Exploiting this advantage we have observed previously unresolved features in the vibrational spectra of rubbed self-assembled monolayers of octadecyltriethoxysilane(OTE) on glass. We have been able to establish a relationship between the effect which rubbing produces and the surface coverage of the molecule through the ratio of the chain -CH@sub 2@- and terminal -CH@sub 3@ features in the spectrum. This new insight will be of value to surface modification technologies, particularly those involving liquid crystal displays.