Surface Micro Replicas of Self-Assembled Chiral Polymers and Grooves

Transparent polymer replicas of different surface patterns appearing on chiral surfaces and gratings are created and studied at nanoscale by atomic force microscopy (AFM), infra-red (IR) spectroscopy and optical methods. Replicated polymers were represented by chiral cholesteric glassy materials with focal conic domains [1] and isotropic networks with grooved surfaces. Polymer replicas were successfully prepared from different types of glassy polymers by direct deposition from either solution or melt, creating novel opportunities for designing novel nanostructures. Different methods of replica preparation employed and optimal strategies leading to the most effective transfer of chiral surface patterns and grooves were developed and discussed. Studies of light scattering and reflection from polymer replicas were conducted in order to evaluate their suitability for subsequent metallization and design of optical metamaterials.

[1] Surface reconstruction of chiral glassy oligomers under the action of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
P Shibaev, D Carrozzi, L Vigilia, A Panariti, GA Schwartz
Liquid Crystals 46 (1), 102-107