Endotaxially stabilized B2-FeSi nanodots in Si (100) via ion beam co-sputtering
- Nanoparticles by Design Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, 1919-1 Onna-Son, Okinawa 904-0495 (Japan)
- Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302005 (India)
We report on the formation of embedded B2-FeSi nanodots in [100]-oriented Si substrates, and investigate the crystallographic mechanism underlying the stabilization of this uncommon, bulk-unstable, phase. The nanodots were approximately 10 nm in size, and were formed by iron thin film deposition and subsequent annealing. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, energy loss spectroscopy mapping, and quantitative image simulation and analysis were utilized to identify the phase, strain, and orientational relationship of the nanodots to the host silicon lattice. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to analyze the surface composition and local bonding. Elasticity calculations yielded a nanodot residual strain value of −18%. Geometrical phase analysis graphically pinpointed the positions of misfit dislocations, and clearly showed the presence of pinned (11{sup ¯}1{sup ¯}){sub Si}//(100){sub FeSi}, and unpinned (2{sup ¯}42){sub Si}//(010){sub FeSi}, interfaces. This partial endotaxy in the host silicon lattice was the mechanism that stabilized the B2-FeSi phase.
- OSTI ID:
- 22262565
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 16; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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