KP Gentry, T Gredig , IK Schuller , Phys. Rev. B. 80 174118 (2009).

1. Tuning of Grain Size in Organic Thin FilmsThomas Gredig, California State University-Long Beach Foundation, DMR 0847552 The precise structure of organic thin films affects many important charac-teristics and the performance of organic solar cells, gas sensors and transistors. On the right a planar organic molecule, phthalocyanine, is deposited onto silicon substrates at two different temperatures. The average grain size dramatically changes from 30nm to 200nm. It was found that the grain width is differently distributed from the grain length. Such thin films also contain well-separated quasi one-dimensional iron chains and have ferromagnetic properties [T. Gredig et al. J.Mater.Sci. 45, 5032 (2010)]. The structural and chemical tunability of these thin films make them excellent candidates for novel organic magnetics. phthalocyanine Atomic force microscopy images of phthalocyanine thin films deposited at 200oC(top) and 25oC(bottom). KP Gentry, T Gredig, IK Schuller, Phys. Rev. B. 80 174118 (2009).

2. Class for Experimental Techniques in NanotechnologyThomas Gredig, California State University-Long Beach Foundation, DMR 0847552 The Experimental Techniques class was created to prepare future students with hands-on experience in nanotechnology. So far, 18 graduate and 7 under-graduate students in two classes have been trained in techniques such as atomic force microscopy and optical photolithography to measure organic thin films and nanoparticles. A very diverse student population has learned to measure and analyze grain structures, prepare devices lithographically, and measure photocurrents in light-absorbent organic thin films based on phthalocyanine. Students have disseminated these results in local presentations and state-wide talks and posters. Top: Graduate student Tarun Sharma is loading an organic thin film using two electrode arms.Bottom: Min Schrader, Jen Imai and Jay McKearn characterize a patterned gold electrode.