Apparatus for making superlattice Langmuir–Blodgett films with atmosphere and temperature control.

We describe an instrument consisting of two adjacent Langmuir troughs and an apparatus capable of dipping substrates in either trough. Such a capability permits the fabrication of Langmuir–Blodgett multilayer films consisting of two alternating components. The troughs are housed in a hermetically sealed enclosure which may be evacuated to permit the establishment of a clean and/or modified (e.g., O2 free) atmosphere. The enclosure is double walled for circulation of thermostating fluid (e.g., ethylene glycol) in order to establish temperatures in the range -30 to 130 °C. The monolayer pressures, film size, and dipping sequence can be controlled manually or by a computer. The surface pressure in each trough is sensed by independent Cahn balances employing filter paper ‘‘Wilhelmy plates’’ in such a manner as to maintain the hermetic seal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]