Dynamic effects on the loss of control in template-directed nucleation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how pattern spacing and coverage influence nucleation control on pre-patterned surfaces, combining numerical modeling and theory to explain experimental results and identify regimes of effective control.

Contribution

It introduces a combined numerical and analytical approach to understand the dynamic effects on nucleation control in template-directed nucleation processes.

Findings

Nucleation behavior varies significantly with pattern spacing and coverage.

Analytical expressions can describe nucleation control in certain parameter regimes.

Theoretical results explain previous experimental observations.

Abstract

Full nucleation control for deposited functional molecules on pre-patterned surfaces is of major technological relevance. To understand the nucleation behavior we combine the numerical solution for the evolution of the adatom concentration with standard nucleation theory. From the qualitative change in nucleation behavior upon variation of the pattern spacing and coverage we show why the quality of nucleation control can vary significantly in different parameter regimes. In some limits analytical expressions can be formulated for the nucleation control. Our analysis provides a theoretical explanation for previous experimental observations [Wang et al, PRL 98, 225504 (2007)].