Abstract
The requirements for steady nanowire growth under near-equilibrium conditions in the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method is examined with particular emphasis on the configuration of the liquid droplet. It is found that the final radius of a cylindrical wire is selected by the fixed volume of liquid V L and the surface-energy ratio γsl/γ lv but is independent of the solid-vapor energy γsv. Existing models for growth, based on a balance of configurational forces at the triple junction, are shown to be consistent with the principle of maximal release of free energy. Gibbs's results on allowable contact angles at a sharp corner predict conditions on γsl/γlv and γsv/γlv for the existence of straight-wire growth. For parameter values that violate these conditions the droplet atop the wire is expected to unpin. A range of alternative configurations for the liquid exist and their relative energies are compared. In particular, it is found that for a certain region in parameter space-not extraordinary in VLS growth-a spherical cap of liquid is not in equilibrium and an annulus of liquid surrounding the wire is energetically preferred. This is suggestive of a possible instability during growth.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 114320 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 107 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2010 |
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge helpful discussions with E. J. Schwalbach and K.-A. Wu. Support from NSF grant under Grant No. CMMI-0507053 is gratefully acknowledged.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy