SPECTROSCOPIC AND SURFACE-ANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SELF-ASSEMBLED LAYERS ON AU

Future devices for electronic, photonic or other ''intelligent'' application involving (bio-) organic materials require nano-fabrication, -manipulation, -patterning and -functionalization techniques. Supramolecular assemblies, aggregates, small molecules and ions have to be controlled with regard to their structure, order and dynamic behaviour down to the molecular or even atomic level. This contribution summarizes some of our activities aiming at a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of functionalized and patterned surfaces. We focus on structure/order-property/function relations in such complex systems as interfaces and thin film architectures. Optical techniques (surface plasmon-spectroscopy) as well as surface analytical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and contact angle investigations) are introduced and demonstrated as powerful tools for the characterization of these interfaces and thin films. Examples will be given covering self-assembly monolayers and molecular recognition - as well as complexation - reactions.