Fabrication of a thin film of an inorganic:organic composite via laser assisted molecular beam deposition

Thin films of a hybrid organic:inorganic [silica: N-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-(s)-prolinol] composite were fabricated by mixing the constituents in the gas phase via the technique of laser assisted molecular beam deposition. UV visible and infrared spectra indicate that the organic chromophore is trapped within the silica matrix without degradation. This approach will enable the fabrication of thin films of a variety of hybrid organic: inorganic composite materials which would otherwise be difficult to fabricate.