Controlled Growth of Germanium Nanowires via a Solid–Liquid–Solid (SLS) Mechanism

Abstract:

In this study, germanium nanowires (GeNWs) were grown directly on gold-evaporated germanium substrates by a solid-liquid-solid (SLS) mechanism in the temperature range 550°C- 650°C. The growth of GeNWs is very sensitive to the growth temperature and only in a limited temperature range (575°C-625°C) can GeNWs having excellent morphology and high surface density be successfully grown. These long, thin, and straight GeNWs have a high aspect ratio and are surrounded by an oxide layer. The composition of corresponding oxide layers is GeO_x (x<2). As the thickness of Au film is decreased from 9 nm to 1 nm, the average diameter of GeNWs decreases from 119.3 nm to 38.5 nm. Our experimental results demonstrate that the diameter of germanium nano¬wires can be controlled by the thickness of Au metal film.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 557-559)
• Pages: 523-529
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.557-559.523
• Online since: July 2012
• Authors: Shih Fong Lee, Li Ying Lee, Yung Ping Chang
• Keywords: Germanium Nanowires (GeNWs), Solid-Liquid-Solid (SLS)

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