Self-assembled structures and devices

Abstract:

We describe the three-layer logpile (3LL), a two-dimensional DNA array which self-assembles from four synthetic oligonucleotides via a four-armed Holliday junction motif. It consists of three layers of helices, each running at 60 degrees to the others. DNA arrays can be used as periodic templates to create, for example, synthetic protein crystals: this array is designed to maximize structural order by ensuring that helices run continuously, without bending, through the structure. UV absorbance measurements show a rate-dependent hysteresis associated with the assembly of the 3LL. Negative-stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of 3LL samples shows that the arrays form extensive sheets (approximately microm(2)) and a process of iterative correlation mapping and averaging of small subsets of digitized TEM micrographs yields an averaged projection image that is consistent with a computer-generated model of the crystal.

Abstract:

We report the replication of holographically defined photonic crystals using multistage atomic layer deposition. Low- and high-temperature atomic layer depositions were combined with selective etching to deposit and remove multiple conformal thin films within three-dimensional polymer templates. Using intermediate Al 2 O 3 inverse replicas, temperature- sensitive SU-8 photonic crystal templates were faithfully replicated with TiO 2 and GaP, greatly increasing the dielectric contrasts of the photonic crystals. Optical measurements are in good agreement with the calculated band structures. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.