LAYER GROWTH IN COLLAPSED LIQUID-CRYSTAL MONOLAYERS STUDIED BY SCANNING FORCE MICROSCOPY

Scanning force microscopy operating under topographic and electric for ce modes has been used to study the collapse of monolayers of the liqu id crystal 4'-n-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (8CB). Topographic images show t hat the collapse proceeds by the formation of an interdigitated bilaye r on top of the monolayer. In the early stages of collapse, the bilaye r has the form of circular islands 0.5-0.6 mu m in diameter and 26-28 Angstrom, high. The islands aggregate as the collapse proceeds. Surfac e potential measurements confirm the interdigitated arrangement of mol ecules in the bilayer. There is no evidence that the collapse occurs b y folding of the monolayer.