LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS OF TRIVALENT RARE-EARTH ARACHIDATES - PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Ultrathin films of rare earth arachidates were prepared by the standar d Langmuir-Blodgett technique and analyzed by various surface-sensitiv e experimental methods. In-situ investigations on the subphase provide d information about the dependence of the film stability of the counte r ion used. In general the stability increases with its atomic number. Heavy ion induced desorption mass spectrometry and photoelectron spec troscopy confirm the formation of trivalent rare earth arachidate salt s. The surface morphology was examined by atomic force microscopy whic h demonstrates that these films have good transfer properties on gold/ silicon substrates.