Formation of Nanowires along Ion Trajectories in Si Backbone Polymers

Abstract

Nanosized cylindrical structures consisting of a SiC core and a crosslinked polysilane coating (see Figure and also inside front cover) are produced here by ion beam irradiation of a polysilane film. It is shown that both the radius and length of the nanowires can be controlled by altering the incident ion beam, molecular weight of the polymer, and thickness of the target film.