From Droplets to Nanowires: Dynamics of Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth

K. W. Schwarz and J. Tersoff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 206101 – Published 20 May 2009

Abstract

Starting with a liquid eutectic droplet on a surface, we calculate its dynamical evolution into an epitaxial nanowire via the vapor-liquid-solid growth process. Our continuum approach incorporates kinetic effects and crystalline anisotropy in a natural way. Some realistic features appear automatically even for an isotropic solid, e.g., the tapered wire base. Crystal anisotropy leads to a richer variety of morphologies. For example, sixfold anisotropy leads to a wire shape having broken symmetry and an intriguing resemblance to the 110-oriented Si wires seen in Au-catalyzed growth on Si (111), while higher symmetry leads to a shape more like 111 Si wires.

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  • Received 18 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.206101

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

K. W. Schwarz and J. Tersoff

  • IBM Research Division, T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, USA

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 20 — 22 May 2009

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