Epitaxial growth of fcc-Ag(0 0 1) nanodots on MgO(0 0 1) substrates via Ti seed layer-assisted agglomeration

Fabrication of self-organized epitaxial fcc-Ag(110)-oriented nanorods by a Ti seed-layer-assisted thermal agglomeration method

“…For a 6.0-nm-thick Ag layer with a 1.0-nmthick Ti seed layer, the surface morphology of the Ag layer transformed into separate island structures, leading to the formation of a nanodot array [Fig. 1 Compared with the case of the MgO(100) substrate, as reported previously, 11,12) the nanodots observed in this study are slimmer. Thus, the Ag=Ti surface structure formed on the MgO(110) substrate is a type of "nanorod".…”

“…17,18) Thus, it can be concluded that the distribution behavior of the nanorod diameter and density observed in Fig. 2 In a previous study, 11) we considered a possible mechanism for SLAA and concluded that the mechanism underlying the SLAA was based on the reduction in the total surface energy of the Ag=Ti=MgO film and the enhancement of the thermal stress generated in the Ag layer. We discuss again the SLAA phenomenon in the case of the Ag=Ti film on the MgO(001) substrate.…”

“…Recently, we have reported on seed-layer-assisted agglomeration (SLAA), a unique technique for the fabrication of agglomerated Au or Ag nanodots, which overcomes the constraints of thermodynamics. [10][11][12] We demonstrated that the insertion of an ultrathin Fe or Ti seed layer between the MgO(001) substrate and a thin Au or Ag layer promoted agglomeration at a relatively low temperature. We also observed that the epitaxial growth of the agglomerated Ag nanodots on the MgO(001) substrate was facilitated by the use of the Ti seed layers.…”

“…We also observed that the epitaxial growth of the agglomerated Ag nanodots on the MgO(001) substrate was facilitated by the use of the Ti seed layers. 11,12) Previous studies [9][10][11][12] have shown that this SLAA method provides the following advantages: (1) the manufactured thin film will have strong adhesion to the substrate, (2) the agglomeration temperature is decreased, and (3) the epitaxial growth of nanodots is enhanced.…”

Magneto-plasmonics on perpendicular magnetic CoPt–Ag nanostructures with ZnO intermediate thin layers

“…Kamiko et al recently reported self-organized epitaxial nanostructures caused by the thermal agglomeration of a Ag film with a thin Ti seed layer. 22,23 We previously used a ZnO film with a crystalline (001) orientation as a seed layer to improve the crystalline orientation of an fcc-Ag (111) underlayer. 21 Thus, it is likely that the ZnO layer inserted into the Ag/Ru interface promotes the surface metal agglomeration of fccAg with a crystalline (111) orientation.…”