Applications of spectroscopy to the creation and study of nanostructures

Abstract

With the technological advances of today, comes the increasing need for device miniaturization. This thesis focuses on the construction of nanostructures, approached from both bottom-up (synthesis) and top-down (lithography) methods. First, a bottom-up method to construct cadmium selenide semiconductor nanoparticles under mild conditions in reverse micelles is described and investigated. A detailed spectroscopic study of nanoparticle growth is provided, whereby the growth was monitored over a period of up to a year. The nanoparticles were removed from the surfactant using ethanol precipitation and were subjected to surface derivatization in order to stabilize them. Secondly, photoreversible cycloaddition of an anthracene derivative is studied for use in double-exposure lithography. The system was found to be adequately reversible, though possible side photoreactions were investigated. Spectroscopic studies were also conducted and photophysical pathways of the compound were examined. The compound was found to have a cleaving quantum yield of 0.67 +/- 0.04 and was established as an actinometer to assess the efficacy of future candidate compounds.