FABRICATION OF A THIN-FILM OF AN INORGANIC-ORGANIC COMPOSITE VIA LASER-ASSISTED MOLECULAR-BEAM DEPOSITION

Thin films of a hybrid organic:inorganic [silica: N-4-(4-nitrophenyl)- (s)-prolinol] composite were fabricated by mixing the constituents in the gas phase via the technique of laser assisted molecular beam depos ition. UV visible and infrared spectra indicate that the organic chrom ophore is trapped within the silica matrix without degradation. This a pproach will enable the fabrication of thin films of a variety of hybr id organic: inorganic composite materials which would otherwise be dif ficult to fabricate. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.