Structure and Reactivity of Metal-Induced 1D Nanostructures on High-Index Silicon Surfaces

该项目解决了硅表面的一维纳米结构，将先前的研究延伸到一维模板与氧和原子氢的反应能力，以及各种金属在硅上的生长。预计对这些纳米结构的基础研究将使其能够在器件、衍射光栅或作为生长模板方面得到可能的应用。本文的工作包括以下几个方面：贵金属诱导的一维纳米结构在高指数硅上生长的反应性研究。在前人工作的基础上，通过将Ag或Au沉积在以Si(5 5 12)为取向或靠近Si(5 5 12)的高指数硅表面上，可以形成贵金属诱导的一维阵列。利用扫描隧道显微镜，我们将研究这些一维阵列在氧化和刻蚀条件下对氧气的反应性。该项目还包括使用原子氢来增强垂直表面波纹的一维阵列优先刻蚀的研究。其他金属在Si(5 5 12)上的生长研究包括Fe和稀土(Dy，Ho，Er)等金属的生长，并将在(5 5 12)附近的高指数表面上作为覆盖度和温度的函数进行研究。最近发现稀土金属在Si(001)上形成了坚固的纳米线，在高指数模板上也可能显示出有趣的生长。该项目致力于具有技术相关性的电子/光子材料科学专题领域的基础研究问题。该项目的一个重要特点是高度重视教育，研究与教育相结合。这项研究将对VCU相对较小的物理系产生潜在的教育影响。PI的重点是让本科生参与研究。大多数硕士研究生都在PI的表面科学小组接受过培训，以便获得进入行业或继续攻读博士学位所需的技能。预计将有许多学生在整个过程中参与这项工作，包括一名全日制博士生(化学物理)，三到四名硕士研究生，以及几名本科生。***

This project addresses one-dimensional nanostructures on silicon surfaces extending prior re-search to the reactivity of 1-D templates with oxygen and atomic hydrogen, and the growth of various metals on Si. It is anticipated that fundamental studies of these nanostructures will enable possible applications in devices, diffraction gratings, or as growth templates. This proposed work includes the following: Reactivity studies of noble metal-induced 1-D nanostructures grown on high-index Si. Based on previous work, noble metal-induced 1-D arrays can be produced by de-positing Ag or Au on high-index Si surfaces oriented at or near Si(5 5 12). Using STM, the reac-tivity of these 1-D arrays to oxygen will be investigated for O2 exposure under both oxidation and etching conditions. The project also includes studies on preferential etching of 1-D arrays using atomic hydrogen to enhance vertical surface corrugation. Growth studies of other groups of metals on Si(5 5 12) includes the growth of metals such as Fe and the rare earths (Dy, Ho, Er), and will be studied as a function of coverage and temperature on high-index surfaces near (5 5 12). The rare earth metals have recently been found to form robust nanowires on Si(001) and may demonstrate interesting growth on the high-index templates as well. %%% The project addresses fundamental research issues in a topical area of electronic/photonic materi-als science having technological relevance. An important feature of the project is the strong em-phasis on education, and the integration of research and education. This research will have a sub-stantial educational impact on VCU's relatively small physics department. The PI places empha-sis on involving undergraduates in research. A majority of the M.S. graduate students are trained in the PI's surface science group in order to gain skills necessary to either enter industry or to continue with a Ph.D. degree. It is anticipated that a number of students will be involved in this work over its duration, including a full-time Ph.D. student (Chemical Physics), three or four M.S. students, and a several undergraduates. ***