Direct shape control of photoreduced nanostructures on proton exchanged ferroelectric templates

Photoreduction on a periodically proton exchanged ferroelectric crystal leads to the formation of periodic metallic nanostructures on the surface. By varying the depth of the proton exchange (PE) from 0.59 to 3.10 µm in congruent lithium niobate crystals, the width of the lateral diffusion region formed by protons diffusing under the mask layer, can be controlled. The resulting deposition occurs in the PE region with the shallowest PE depth, and preferentially in the lateral diffusion region for greater PE depths. PE depth-control provides a route for the fabrication of complex metallic nanostructures with controlled dimensions on chemically patterned ferroelectric templates. Science Foundation Ireland This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of the DGPP and NANOREMEDIES, which are funded under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) Cycle 5 and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. We also acknowledge support from the Swedish Research Council (VR 622-2010-526 and 621-2011-4040). The AFM used for this work was funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI07/IN1/B931). Author has checked copyright TS 27.03.13