Self-assembled nanoparticles with polymeric and/or oligomeric ligands

Abstract

In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structure, comprising:
 a substrate;   a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and   a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, wherein the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structured layer comprises at least one of a chemical and a topographical contrast between the nucleation and non-nucleation regions. 
     
     
         3 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structured layer has a crystallographic orientation substantially along an axis perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the non-nucleation regions are recessed relative to the nucleation regions. 
     
     
         5 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleation regions are recessed relative to the non-nucleation regions. 
     
     
         6 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the crystalline layer is a magnetic recording layer, wherein the magnetic recording layer comprises a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, wherein the magnetic material is positioned above the nucleation regions in the structured layer and the non-magnetic material is positioned above the non-nucleation regions in the structured layer. 
     
     
         7 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structured layer comprises a material selected from a group consisting of: Pt, Pd, Au, Ru, Y, Rh, RuAl, RuRh, NiW, MgO, Cr, TiN, CoRu and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleation regions comprise a first material and the non-nucleation regions comprise a second material, wherein the first and second materials have different surface free energies. 
     
     
         9 . A magnetic data storage system, comprising:
 at least one magnetic head;   the structure as recited in  claim 1 ;   a drive mechanism for passing the structure over the at least one magnetic head; and   a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head.