Optical resists, classical

Alivisatos and coworkers reported on the realization of an electrode structure scaled down to the level of a single Au nanocluster [24]. They combined optical lithography and angle evaporation techniques (see previous discussion of SET-device fabrication) to define a narrow gap of a few nanometers between two Au leads on a Si substrate. The Au leads were functionalized with hexane-1,6-dithiol, which binds linearly to the Au surface. 5.8 nm Au nanoclusters were immobilized from solution between the leads via the free dithiol end, which faces the solution. Slight current steps in the I U) characteristic at 77K were reflected by the resulting device (see Figure 8). By curve fitting to classical Coulomb blockade models, the resistances are 32 MQ and 2 G 2, respectively, and the junction... 

In view of the experimental difficulties a theory for radiation properties is desirable. The classical theory of electromagnetic waves from J.C. Maxwell (1864), links the emissivity e x with the so-called optical constants of the material, the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k, that can be combined into a complex refractive index n = n — ik. The optical constants depend on the temperature, the wavelength and electrical properties, in particular the electrical resistivity re of the material. In addition, the theory delivers, in the form of Fresnel s equations, an explicit dependence of the emissivity on the polar angle / , whilst no dependence on the circumferential angle ip appears, as isotropy has been assumed. 

The classic ITO electrode-based cell [106, 256] is still widely in use, its advantage being convenience and simphdty. It does suffer the disadvantage that it is difficult to keep out oxygen. Also, the resistance of the ITO means that the current distribution during the growth of a conducting polymer by electropolymerization may not be uniform over the surface. A fiber-optic-based cell has been described in Ref. [257-259]. 

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