Cluster Assembly of Interfaces: Nanoscale Engineering

Abstract

Overlayer structures can be formed on surfaces by the deposition of clusters containing hundreds or thousands of atoms. Cluster assembly alters the reaction pathway at the surface so that novel structures with unique chemical and physical properties can be stabilized. This article discusses the process of cluster assembly. Cluster-assembled interfaces are compared to those obtained by conventional techniques, and examples are given for metal-semiconductor and semiconductor-high temperature superconductor systems.