Strained-layer van der Waals epitaxy in a Langmuir-Blodgett film.

Atomic force microscope images of Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead and manganese fatty acid salts show that these monolayers have long-range order and are oriented with respect to the mica substrate, although the lattice symmetries of the monolayers and substrate are dramatically different. The surface lattice of sequentially thicker films evolves toward the bulk structure while retaining the substrate alignment. This behavior is in distinct contrast to films of cadmium fatty acid salts on mica, or all films on amorphous silicon oxide, in which the monolayer structure is disordered and a three-layer-thick film displays the bulk structure.