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We develop a model for nucleation of islands in vapor-liquid-solid nanowires with
either vertical or truncated corner facets. Under the assumption of two-dimensional geometry
of the growing island, it is shown that the earlier energetic condition for the truncated edge at
the growth interface is modified by chemical potential. Therefore, the islands may nucleate at
the trijunction during growth even if the truncation is preferred at the no growth conditions on
surface energetic grounds. This conclusion may be used as the first step for understanding the
peculiar oscillatory behavior of the growth interface and the related crystal phases of III-V
nanowires.
Keywords: nanowires, vapor-liquid-solid growth, nucleation, truncation, surface energy, chemical potential, contact angle |
full paper (pdf, 784 Kb)