MAPLE: Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation

 What is MAPLE?

 MAPLE enables:

  • Tailored material composition
  • Novel film structure
  • Heterostructure design
Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation System
 

 Parameter space:

  1. Target composition
  2. Chamber pressure
  3. Substrate temperature
  4. Growth distance
  5. Fluence

History

1993 - Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) of insoluble polymers (e.g. PTFE)1 reported
 

1999 - MAPLE created at Naval Research Laboratory2

2002 - UV-MAPLE: Photochemical degradation reported due to UV light3

2004 - Resonant Infrared MAPLE (RIR-MAPLE) introduced4; decouples polymer and solvent absorption

2007 - Stiff-Roberts' Group uses emulsions of multiple solvents as RIR-MAPLE target

1Blanchet, et al., Science 262 (1993) 719

2Pique, et al., Thin Solid Films 355-356 (1999) 536

3Bubb, et al., J. Appl. Phys. 91 (2002) 2055

 4Toftmann, et al., Thin Solid Films 453-454 (2004) 177