Identification and passivation of defects in self-assembled monolayers

We demonstrate imaging of nanoscale defects in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Atomic layer deposition of aluminum oxide (AlO(x)) onto hydrophobic SAMs is followed by imaging using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The insulating AlO(x) selectively deposits onto the exposed substrate at defect sites and becomes charged during imaging, providing high contrast even for nanometer scale defects. The deposited AlO(x) also acts as a barrier for electron transfer, thereby simultaneously electrically passivating the defects in the SAM as it labels them.