This NFN contains two subprojects:
Structural studies of ordered molecular films starting from the first monolayer" (Prof. Resel)
Photoreactive Surfaces (Prof. Kern)
The goal of the first project is a detailed study of the interface properties of organic thin films on inorganic surfaces.
The second project aims at thin layers and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of photoreactive organic molecules on selected substrates. The general idea is to modify the properties of these surface layers by UV induced reactions which will allow lateral patterning by lithographic techniques. Focus will be on molecules for which UV-light can induce a permanent change in chemical structure, reactivity and polarity. By this way the properties of inorganic surfaces and their interactions with an organic active layer can be tuned in a spatially resolved fashion.