Ageing dynamics of ion bombardment induced self-organization processes

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1850. doi: 10.1038/srep01850.

Abstract

Instabilities caused during the erosion of a surface by an ion beam can lead to the formation of self-organized patterns of nanostructures. Understanding the self-organization process requires not only the in-situ characterization of ensemble averaged properties but also probing the dynamics. This can be done with the use of coherent X-rays and analyzing the temporal correlations of the scattered intensity. Here, we show that the dynamics of a semiconductor surface nanopatterned by normal incidence ion beam sputtering are age-dependent and slow down with sputtering time. This work provides a novel insight into the erosion dynamics and opens new perspectives for the understanding of self-organization mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Semiconductors*
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Rays