1 research outputs found
Growth modes of Fe(110) revisited: a contribution of self-assembly to magnetic materials
We have revisited the epitaxial growth modes of Fe on W(110) and Mo(110), and
propose an overview or our contribution to the field. We show that the
Stranski-Krastanov growth mode, recognized for a long time in these systems, is
in fact characterized by a bimodal distribution of islands for growth
temperature in the range 250-700°C. We observe firstly compact islands
whose shape is determined by Wulff-Kaischev's theorem, secondly thin and flat
islands that display a preferred height, ie independant from nominal thickness
and deposition procedure (1.4nm for Mo, and 5.5nm for W on the average). We
used this effect to fabricate self-organized arrays of nanometers-thick stripes
by step decoration. Self-assembled nano-ties are also obtained for nucleation
of the flat islands on Mo at fairly high temperature, ie 800°C. Finally,
using interfacial layers and solid solutions we separate two effects on the
preferred height, first that of the interfacial energy, second that of the
continuously-varying lattice parameter of the growth surface.Comment: 49 pages. Invited topical review for J. Phys.: Condens. Matte