1D nanofabrication with a micrometer-sized laser spot

A simple laser-assisted procedure for the fabrication of functional organic nanostructures is demonstrated. Native silicon samples are coated with alkylsiloxane monolayers and patterned with a focused beam of an Ar(+) laser (lambda = 514 nm). After patterning, the coating is chemically functionalized following a robust preparation scheme. Despite a laser spot diameter of about 2.5 mum, this routine allows for the fabrication of well-confined organosiloxane stripes with widths below 100 nm. As shown, these structures provide a versatile means for building ordered surface architectures of nanoscopic components. In particular, gold nanoparticles (d = 16 nm) self-assemble into one-dimensional arrangements, such as single chains.