Controlled placement of self-organized Ge dots on patterned Si (001) surfaces

Abstract

The positioning and ordering of the self-organized Ge dots were controlled using the ultra high-vacuum chemical molecular epitaxial growth of Ge on electron beam lithographically patterned Si (001) substrates. The experimental results indicate that the edge smoothness of the etched Si holes affects the distribution and long-range ordering of the Ge dots formed. With optimized etching conditions, the Ge dots can be grown uniformly on the edges of the holes etched on the patterned Si substrates. The sizes of the Ge dots are approximately 10 nm. The proposed, technique can be applied to the fabrication of regimented arrays in signal processing applications.