Electric-field-induced nanostructuring of metallic thin films

Abstract

The nanostructuring of thin Ni and In films by postdeposition electric field treatment is presented. Electric-field-induced nanostructuring effects, such as organization into an array of nanoparticles, formation of nanowires and transition from amorphous to nanocrystalline states, are demonstrated. It is further shown that the nanostructures can be manipulated by simply changing the direction of the applied field. Control parameters include separation of field probes (25 mm), duration (2060 s) and direction of the field applied, and thickness (10100 nm). High fields cause field-induced emission in the films. It is observed that while the microstructural reconstruction of the surfaces can be manipulated, the amorphouscrystalline transition is irreversible. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company.