Self-assembled nanowires on semiconductor surfaces

TL;DR

This paper surveys various self-assembled nanowires on semiconductor surfaces, focusing on their structures, formation, and potential applications in nanoelectronics, with special attention to rare earth and Bi nanoline systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of different nanowire families, highlighting recent advances in understanding their physical, electronic, and reactive properties.

Findings

Identification of multiple nanowire families on semiconductor surfaces

Detailed analysis of rare earth nanowires and Bi nanoline structures

Insights into formation mechanisms and potential applications in nanoelectronics

Abstract

A number of different families of nanowires which self-assemble on semiconductor surfaces have been identified in recent years. They are particularly interesting from the standpoint of nanoelectronics, which seeks non-lithographic ways of creating interconnects at the nanometre scale (though possibly for carrying signal rather than current), as well as from the standpoint of traditional materials science and surface science. We survey these families and consider their physical and electronic structure, as well as their formation and reactivity. Particular attention is paid to rare earth nanowires and the Bi nanoline, both of which self-assemble on Si(001).