Nanostructure Evolution During Cluster Growth: Ag on H-Terminated Si(111) Surfaces

Abstract

The size of small clusters has a large effect on cluster growth and structure. Using Ag clusters of sizes from approximately 1 to 10 nm grown on H-Si(111), we found that the cluster structure evolves in stages showing (1) irregular shapes at coverage <or=1 ML (monolayer), (2) mostly single crystal of faceted-hut-like shapes from 2 to 5 ML, and (3) defective disklike islands above 5 ML. We show that the rapid coalescence of small clusters drives the nanostructure transition and leads to a steplike growth of nanoclusters that is different from the predictions of scaling theory.

Coherent nano‐area electron diffraction

“…A challenge, thus, is how to determine the structure of individual clusters. The case highlighted below of Ag on Si(100) is taken from the systematic study on nanocluster structure and interfaces using a combination of electron diffraction and microscopy in our group (Bording et al, 2003;Zuo, 2002, 2003;Zuo and Li, 2002). Figure 8 shows the electron diffraction patterns for samples deposited on H-terminated Si(100) surfaces.…”

Microstructural evolution of oxides and semiconductor thin films

“…With the continuous miniaturization and the increased demand on performance for optical, electronic, and magnetic devices, the control of thin film structures is becoming increasingly significant. A lot of efforts have been devoted to investigate the growth mode [47,48], to the formation of crystallographic structures [49,50], and to the kinetic morphology evolution of island ensembles [51,52]. SnO 2 is widely employed in gas-sensing applications because of its excellent response to different pollutant gases [94].…”

Weak localization of bismuth cluster-decorated graphene and its spin–orbit interaction

“…The deposition chamber was at room temperature, and the Bi clusters had enough energy to overcome the diffusion barrier. Thus, small clusters aggregated and coalesced into larger cluster [43]. The defects of the graphene sheet functioned as nucleation centers for the cluster growth, as described in the literature [44].…”

“…After the first Bi-cluster deposition, the clusters had low coverage, and small clusters interacted with the defects of the graphene, such as vacancies. However, after the second deposition, small clusters aggregated and coalesced into larger clusters [43]; thus, the interaction between the clusters and the defects of the graphene decreased, and the Kane-Mele SOC strength decreased. According to the slope of the linear fitting in Fig.…”