In-situ observations of self-assembled island nucleation on patterned substrates

We compare in situ electron microscopy observations of Ge island growth on Si surfaces modulated by different techniques. Si(001) substrates were patterned either using a focused Ga ion beam or lithographically to produce similar feature sizes. In the case of the focused-ion-beam patterned substrates, chemical or strain effects caused by low Ga doses control the positions at which islands nucleate. Nucleation on topographically modulated substrates, with the pattern produced either by high-dose sputtering or lithographically, is controlled by the nature of the side walls of topographic features. The two patterning approaches have different benefits in creating arrays of islands for device applications.