Atomic Force Microscopy of Langmuir-Blodgett Films Polymerized as a Floating Monolayer

These topographical studies demonstrate that linoleic acid Langmuir- Blodgett films polymerized as floating monolayers are not ideally flat and defect-free. Both the monomeric and UV-polymerized films contain hole- defects. As a result of the polymerization part of the film folds up from the film plane. This effect is strongly surface pressure dependent and can be inhibited by polymerizing the floating monolayer at a pressure lower than 10 mN/m.