Growth of Co nanolines on self-assembled Si nanostripes

Abstract

One-dimensional Si nanostructures, grown on a Ag(110) substrate, have been used as a template to grow Co nanolines. Before Co deposition, the self-assembled Si nanostripes were characterized by high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. From this, an original atomic arrangement of silicon adatoms forming nanostripes can be proposed. The early stages of the Co deposition at room temperature on the Si nanostripes have then been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy, enabling the localization of adsorbed Co atoms. We show that Co is adsorbed on top of the Si nanostripes forming nanolines. No Co adsorption was detected on the pure Ag-surface in between the stripes. The preparation of an interesting one-dimensional Co-Si nanosystem is demonstrated.