Resonant infrared pulsed-laser deposition of a sorbent chemoselective polymer

Fluoropolyol, a sorbent chemoselective polymer, has been deposited as a thin film by resonant infrared pulsed laser deposition using a free electron laser operating at 2.90 mum, a wavelength resonant with the hydroxl stretch. A comparison of the infrared absorbance of the deposited film and starting material shows no evidence of chemical decomposition in the film. Gel permeation chromatography shows that the film and starting material have nearly the same molar mass. The results are particularly applicable to the fabrication of chemical and biological sensors. The concept of resonant pulsed laser deposition using intrinsic vibrational modes may have wide applicability for organic materials. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.