Molecular beam deposition of crystalline layers of polar perhydrotriphenylene inclusion compounds characterised by second harmonic generation microscopy

Polar inclusion compounds of perhydrotriphenylene (PHTP) were grown in nm to μm thick crystalline layers on glass and sapphire substrates. Nucleation was facilitated by using silanised glass. Second harmonic generation microscopy and confocal second harmonic generation microscopy were used to identify the deposition of polar PHTP–guest layers and to determine the growth direction. Channels formed by the inclusion compound were found to grow parallel to the glass substrate.