Real-Time Observation of Temperature-Induced Surface Nanofaceting in M-Plane α-Al₂O₃.

ABSTRACT: The spontaneous crystal surface reconstruction of M-plane α-Al₂O₃ is employed for nanopatterning and nanofabrication in various fields of research including, among others, magnetism, superconductivity, and optoelectronics. In this reconstruction process the crystalline surface transforms from a planar morphology to one with a nanoscale ripple patterning. However, the high sample temperature required to induce surface reconstruction made in situ studies of the process seem unfeasible. The kinetics of ripple pattern formation therefore remained uncertain, and thus production of templates for nanofabrication could not advance beyond a trial-and-error stage. We present an approach combining in situ real-time grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering exp

SUBMITTER: Erb DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9284515 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature