Stochastic processes in light-assisted nanoparticle formation

TL;DR

This paper introduces stochastic models for light-assisted nanoparticle formation, explaining observed phenomena and reducing size fluctuations in nanofabrication processes.

Contribution

It presents novel stochastic models that incorporate light-assisted effects, providing a better understanding of nanoparticle formation mechanisms.

Findings

Models reproduce experimental phenomenology

Explain reduced size fluctuations in quantum dot synthesis

Describe self-organization in nanoparticle chains

Abstract

Recently, light-assisted nanofabrication have been introduced, such as the synthesis of quantum dots using photo-induced desorption that yields reduced size fluctuations, or metal sputtering under light illumination resulting in self-organized, nanoparticle chains. The physical mechanisms have originally been attributed to material desorption or plasmon resonance effects. However, significant stochastic phenomena are also present that have not been explained yet. We introduce stochastic models taking account of the light-assisted processes that reproduce phenomenological characteristics consistent with the experimental observations.