In Situ Tem Observation Of The Vapor-Solid-Solid Growth Of Inas Nanowires

In situ transmission electron microscopy characterization is a powerful method in investigating the growth mechanism of catalyst-induced semiconductor nanowires. By providing direct evidence on the crystal growth at the atomic level, a real-time in situ heating investigation was carried out on Au-catalyzed InAs nanowires. It was found that the Au catalyst maintained itself in the solid form during the nanowire growth, and maintained a fixed epitaxial relationship with its underlying InAs nanowire, indicating the vapor-solid-solid mechanism. Importantly, the growth of InAs nanowires through a layer-by-layer manner at the catalyst/nanowire interface is evident. This study provides direct insights into the vapor-solid-solid growth and clarified the growth mechanism of III-V nanowires, which provides pathways in controlling the growth of semiconductor nanowires.