Non-Lithographic Techniques for Nanostructuring of Thin Films and Bulk Surfaces

Abstract

The development of non-lithographic techniques for realizing nanostructured thin films and bulk surfaces for application in devices is a major area of current interest. In this chapter, the state-of-art in four different techniques, namely template assisted, electric field assisted, laser induced and vapour-liquid-solid techniques is reviewed. It is shown that these techniques have a lot of promise for the fabrication of nanoparticle arrays, nanowires and nanodots and other 'nano-forms'. The effects, in each case, can be localized by an intelligent choice of process parameters, making them very attractive for niche applications. Examples from a large variety of materials systems are presented demonstrating the universal nature of these approaches. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.