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arXiv · 1711.03731

Ion-beam sculpting of nanowires

Morteza Aramesh
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Abstract

Nanomaterials often undergo unusual mechanical deformations compared to their bulk counterparts when irradiated with ion-beams. This study visualizes and investigates some of the unusual interactions that can occur in nanomaterials during irradiation with medium-energy ion-beams using a Helium-Ion-Microscope (HIM). Ion-beam sculpting of semiconductor nanowires (NWs) with sub-10 nm features is demonstrated. Moreover, irradiation-induced growth of NWs at room-temperature is discovered. The new concept and possible mechanism of irradiation-induced VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) growth of NWs is introduced. These results are the basis for further fundamental and technological developments towards manipulation and visualization of ion-matter interactions at nanoscales.

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Morteza Aramesh. 2017-11-10. Ion-beam sculpting of nanowires. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.201700333

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