Effect of Substrate Orientation on the Growth Direction of In _x Ga_1-x As Nanowires (NWs)

Abstract

We have grown the In x Gal-x As NWs on GaAs(lll), GaAs(100) and Si(lll) substrates via Vapor-Solid-Solid (VSS) mode using MOCVD. We observed that the cylindrical NWs grow perpendicular to the GaAs(lll) substrate. The straight line NWs with an angle of 50.60° to the normal were occurred on GaAs(l00), while kinks NWs were perceived on Si(lll). We found that the growth direction of the In x Gal-x As NWs can be easily controlled using certain orientation of the substrate by considering its lattice mismatch and its surface energy.