Formation of ordered arrays of gold particles on silicon and silicon-dioxide by nanoindentation patterning

S. Ruffell*, D. K. Venkatachalam, A. Shalav, R. G. Elliman

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Ordered arrays of gold particles have been fabricated on gold-coated Si(100) surfaces by pre-patterning the surface with a nanoindenter. During thermal annealing the Au is observed to accumulate within the residual indents. Once nucleated, the Au particles grow at the expense of smaller surface particles via an Ostwald-ripening process. The size of the Au particles is controlled by the initial thickness of the deposited Au layer, the size of the indentation (which is controlled with a high degree of precision), and the annealing conditions. Particles of ∼200 nm dimensions are formed in indents of ∼1 μm dimensions whilst nanoparticles of ∼20 nm are observed in the smallest indents made (∼50 nm). We have also demonstrated patterning of Au by indentation of a Au layer sandwiched between two SiO2 films deposited on Si by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. Here, cracking of the SiO2 layer occurs allowing Au to diffuse to the surface at the indented locations during post-indentation annealing.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationNanoscale Pattern Formation
    Pages36-41
    Number of pages6
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    Event2009 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
    Duration: 30 Nov 20094 Dec 2009

    Publication series

    NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
    Volume1228
    ISSN (Print)0272-9172

    Conference

    Conference2009 MRS Fall Meeting
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityBoston, MA
    Period30/11/094/12/09

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