Nanoscale structural engineering via phase segregation: Au-Ge system.
A tunable structural engineering of nanowires based on template-assisted alloying and phase segregation processes is demonstrated. The Au-Ge system, which has a low eutectic temperature and negligible solid solubility (<10(-3) atom %) of Au in Ge at low temperatures, is utilized. Depending on the Au concentration of the initial nanowires, final structures ranging from nearly periodic nanodisk patterns to core/shell and fully alloyed nanowires are produced. The formation mechanisms are discussed in detail and characterized by in situ transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry analyses. Electrical measurements illustrate the metallic and semiconducting characteristics of the fully alloyed and alternating Au/Ge nanodisk structures, respectively.
Chueh
Yu-Lun
YL
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Boswell
Cosima N
CN
Yuan
Chun-Wei
CW
Shin
Swanee J
SJ
Takei
Kuniharu
K
Ho
Johnny C
JC
Ko
Hyunhyub
H
Fan
Zhiyong
Z
Haller
E E
EE
Chrzan
D C
DC
Javey
Ali
A