Directions and breakup of self-running in droplets on low-index InP surfaces

Abstract

The nucleation and dynamics of multiple generations of In droplets formed from Langmuir evaporation of InP (001), (111)A, and (111)B surfaces are reported. In situ mirror electron microscopy reveals that the majority of first-generation, or mother, droplets break up immediately before they run from the nucleation sites, leaving behind daughter droplets and etch trails where more droplets emerge. These subsequent droplets grow with time and run once a critical size is reached. The breakup and running characteristics are explained in terms of crystallography, viscosity, chemical potential, and temperature and will likely affect the growth processes and designs of various droplet-catalyzed nanostructures and devices. © 2013 American Chemical Society.