TY - JOUR
T1 - Spinodal decomposition driven formation of Pt-nanowires on Ge(001)
AU - Safaei, A.
AU - Poelsema, B.
AU - Zandvliet, H.J.W.
AU - van Gastel, R.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Using low energy electron microscopy, we have found that the deposition of Pt on Ge(001) leads to the formation of a surface confined eutectic liquid when the system is heated above 980 K. From the bulk phase diagram we derive the composition of the eutectic phase: Ge$_{0.78}$Pt$_{0.22}$. Upon solidification and further cooling down, two distinct types of terrace emerge, the so-called α and β terraces, which have been assigned previously as relatively Pt-poor and Pt-rich, respectively. Immediately after solidification β terraces fully cover the surface, while further cooling leads to their partial transformation into α terraces. Subsequently, Pt nanowire domains nucleate and grow exclusively on β terraces at about 600 K. The results are discussed using spinodal decomposition concepts and reveal a new pathway for nanowire formation.
AB - Using low energy electron microscopy, we have found that the deposition of Pt on Ge(001) leads to the formation of a surface confined eutectic liquid when the system is heated above 980 K. From the bulk phase diagram we derive the composition of the eutectic phase: Ge$_{0.78}$Pt$_{0.22}$. Upon solidification and further cooling down, two distinct types of terrace emerge, the so-called α and β terraces, which have been assigned previously as relatively Pt-poor and Pt-rich, respectively. Immediately after solidification β terraces fully cover the surface, while further cooling leads to their partial transformation into α terraces. Subsequently, Pt nanowire domains nucleate and grow exclusively on β terraces at about 600 K. The results are discussed using spinodal decomposition concepts and reveal a new pathway for nanowire formation.
U2 - 10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113052
DO - 10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113052
M3 - Article
VL - 16
JO - New journal of physics
JF - New journal of physics
SN - 1367-2630
M1 - 113052
ER -