We have grown Ge quantum dots by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) on step bunched Si(111) surfaces, vicinal Si(001) surfaces and oxidized Si substrates. Control of one- and two-dimensional ordering of the islands was obtained combining top-down patterning techniques (Focused Ion Beam milling), naturally occurring instabilities and anisotropies typical of Si surfaces. Real-time study of growth kinetics and self-organization of the islands has been accomplished using Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy imaging in UHV. A software routine was used to analyze the in-plane ordering of the islands on selected images. We focused on the study of the first nucleation stages of the dots on high-miscut vicinal Si(001) surfaces, in an attempt to correlate the observed behavior with the properties of these surfaces. The relevance of this research to quantum-dots based technology is also discussed. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Bernardi, M., Sgarlata, A., Fanfoni, M., Persichetti, L., Motta, N., Balzarotti, A. (2009). Self-assembly of Ge quantum dots on Silicon: An example of controlled nanomanufacturing. SUPERLATTICES AND MICROSTRUCTURES, 46(1-2), 318-323 [10.1016/j.spmi.2008.12.010].
Self-assembly of Ge quantum dots on Silicon: An example of controlled nanomanufacturing
Persichetti L.;Motta N.;Balzarotti A.
2009-01-01
Abstract
We have grown Ge quantum dots by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) on step bunched Si(111) surfaces, vicinal Si(001) surfaces and oxidized Si substrates. Control of one- and two-dimensional ordering of the islands was obtained combining top-down patterning techniques (Focused Ion Beam milling), naturally occurring instabilities and anisotropies typical of Si surfaces. Real-time study of growth kinetics and self-organization of the islands has been accomplished using Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy imaging in UHV. A software routine was used to analyze the in-plane ordering of the islands on selected images. We focused on the study of the first nucleation stages of the dots on high-miscut vicinal Si(001) surfaces, in an attempt to correlate the observed behavior with the properties of these surfaces. The relevance of this research to quantum-dots based technology is also discussed. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
