Nanostructures
AssigneeCouncil for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
InventorDerek A Eastham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of producing a structure comprising a plurality of nanoparticles distributed across a surface of a substrate in a predetermined array. The method comprises the steps of: i) providing a substrate which has a passivated surface; ii) depositing nanoparticles on to said surface; and iii) displacing said particles over said surface to configure them in said predetermined array.
Claims31
A method of producing a structure comprising a plurality of nanoparticles distributed across a surface of a substrate in a predetermined array, the method comprising the steps of:
- i) providing a substrate which has a passivated surface;
- ii) depositing nanoparticles on to said surface;
- and
- iii) displacing said particles over said surface to configure them in said predetermined array.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said nanoparticles are passivated.
A method according, to any preceding claim, wherein said substrate surface is provided with an array of predefined regions corresponding to said predetermined array and said step (iii) comprises displacing the nanoparticles so that they move into and are retained within said regions.
A method according to any preceding, wherein each nanoparticle is a nanocrystal comprising a cluster of atoms.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the nanoparticles are deposited on said surface in a jet of an inert gas such as argon.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein prior to depositing said nanoparticles on said surface said nanoparticles are passed through a mass selector so that only particles of a selected size or size range are deposited on said surface.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said nanoparticles have a diameter of the order of 1 to 15 nm.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the nanoparticles are regularly shaped and generally spherical.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the nanoparticles are retarded in an electric field to reduce their energy immediately prior to deposition on said surface.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said particles are, ferromagnetic.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said predetermined array is a regular array of individual nanoparticles suitable for use as a magnetic storage media
A method according to any- preceding claim, wherein following displacing step (iii) a layer of material is formed over said surface and said array of nanoparticles which fixes said nanoparticles in position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.