Chemistry-mediated two-dimensional to three-dimensional transition of In thin films

This letter reports a mechanism of chemistry-mediated two-dimensional to three-dimensional (2D-3D) transition during In thin film deposition, and the corresponding evolution of nanoscale islands. Using magnetron sputtering technique, we deposit In on Au substrate. Despite the fact that In wets on Au, In islands prevail over the uniform film soon after the deposition starts. The 2D-3D transition is found to be a result of the formation of Au3In on the Au substrate. The alloy formation leads to nonwetting of In, thereby the high mobility of In atoms and In clusters, and eventually well-separated In islands. The structures of In and Au are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.