Mesoscopic self-assembly of gold islands on diblock-copolymer films

Abstract
We describe the fabrication and characterization of self‐assembled gold island arrays on diblock‐copolymer thin films. The natural tendency of these polymers to form ordered phases is used to induce selective aggregation of evaporated gold metal during an annealing process. We obtain well‐defined, nanoscale island arrays aligned with one of the copolymer blocks. Near perfect segregation is achieved between the two domains. Two types of diblock‐copolymer systems are discussed, together with the resulting island patterns.