A Technique for the Characterisation of Langmuir-Blodgett Films

A method has been developed which allows the characterisation of Langmuir-Blodgett films. The technique utilises the liquid crystal aligning properties of the films and may be applied to films composed of any number of layers. Two materials were studied, ω-tricosenoic acid and cadmium arachidate. Differences between one and three layer samples of these materials are discussed and observed defects down to a size of approximately 1–2 microns are illustrated. Tentative explanations for the occurrence of some of the defects are put forward. The results of a preliminary study of electron beam damage in ω-tricosenoic acid are presented.