Flexible automated system for laser modified layer by layer assembly.

An open-source automated system for laser modified layer by layer assembly is described. This flexible system, the first designed to be used with this process, can be used to fabricate a range of laser patterned, layer by layer thin films. The Arduino microcontroller-based system features a stepper motor-controlled turntable that holds solutions and water rinses for dipping.

Three-dimensional control of layer by layer thin films via laser modification.

A novel modification to the traditional layer by layer process that adds three-dimensional control to the technique is introduced. In this modification to the process, the substrate is irradiated with laser light during the polycation and/or polyanion dipping cycles. An array of PAH/PCBS polymer thin films were fabricated using the laser modified approach with varied bilayer numbers, laser powers, and laser irradiation times.