Step-flow kinetics in nanowire growth

Nanowire growth occurs by step flow at the wire-catalyst interface, with strikingly different step-flow kinetics for solid versus liquid catalysts. Here we report quantitative in situ measurements of step flow together with a kinetic model that reproduces the behavior. This allows us to identify the key parameters controlling step-flow growth, evaluate changes in the catalyst composition during growth, and identify the most favorable conditions for growing abrupt heterojunctions in nanowires. © 2010 The American Physical Society.