Synthesis of 3-dimensional periodic nanostructures in an interference field of UV laser light

In 2000, Campbell et al. (Nature 404:53, 2000) have shown that three-dimensional periodic nanostructures can be obtained from UV laser interference irradiation of photoresist for 6 nanosecond single pulse. We have developed a similar experiment for photolytic gas phase decomposition and for photopatternable organic–inorganic hybrid resins. Different steps in results, presently reported, were first to determine the characteristics of both the 3D interference pattern and interferometer to be associated to a CVD reactor and second to verify the mechanical stability of the set up confirmed with the structuration of a siloxane based methacrylic resins by UV polymerization and finally to grow periodic nanostructures by photolytic gas phase decomposition of chromyl chloride. The experimental results obtained so far indicate that, depending on the electromagnetic energy density, a vapor phase decomposition of chromyl chloride leads to periodic arrays of either Cr–O amorphous or Cr₂O₃ particles on glass and (001)TiO₂ substrates at room temperature.