Substrate dependent buffer‐layer assisted growth of nanoclusters

Abstract

AbstractThe role of the substrate on the morphology of nanometer size clusters fabricated by buffer layer assisted growth (BLAG) was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. Clusters of Fe and Co were deposited on Ag(111), Cu(100), Rh(111), and Pt(111) surfaces using identical BLAG parameters, which are temperature, as well as metal and buffer layer coverage. Semi‐hemispherical clusters are found on Ag(111) and Cu(100), while flat monolayer high islands are observed on Rh(111) and Pt(111) due to complete wetting. The results of this study are in agreement with the common notion that BLAG is useful to deposit clusters of virtually any material on any substrate, however, the shape, size, and lateral distribution of the resulting clusters depend strongly on the substrate surface free energy and diffusion processes.