A new electrochemical setup and the associated procedures for growing ordered
anodic aluminum oxide pore arrays on large surfaces are presented. The typical
size of the samples is 14 × 14 cm2. The most crucial experimental parameters
that allow for the stabilization of the high-field procedures are a very
efficient cooling of sample and electrolyte, as well as the initial ramping up
of the voltage at an accurately defined rate. The morphology of the
cylindrical, parallel alumina pores is similar to those obtained on smaller
scales with standard setups. Our setup facilitates the availability of porous
anodic alumina as a template system for a number of applications