Dynamics of Quasi-One-Dimensional Structures under Roughening Transition Stimulated by External Irradiation.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Physics

Background:

• Nanowires exhibit surface morphology dynamics at elevated temperatures.
• Rayleigh instability typically leads to nanowire disintegration into nanoclusters.
• Roughening transition (RT) is a known effect on specific crystal faces above a critical temperature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of external irradiation on nanowire surface morphology dynamics.
• To explore controlled periodic modulation of quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures for electronic applications.
• To understand the interplay between stimulated surface diffusion, Rayleigh instability, and roughening transition.

Main Methods:

• Numerical experiments utilizing the Monte Carlo model.
• Analysis of surface diffusion stimulation by external irradiation.
• Investigation of nanowire cross-section modulation under irradiation.

Main Results:

• External irradiation stimulates surface diffusion, leading to controlled cross-section modulation.
• Rayleigh instability transforms from long-wave breakup to short-wave metastable modulations (unduloids).
• The interplay between Rayleigh instability and RT is size-dependent, observed in small-radius nanowires.

Conclusions:

• External irradiation offers new pathways for fabricating nanostructures with tailored cross-sections.
• Controlled surface dynamics via irradiation are crucial for developing advanced opto- and nanoelectronic elements.
• Experimental validation with Au and Ag nanowires confirms theoretical predictions.