THERMAL DYNAMICS OF Te CLUSTER FILM AT ANNEALING PROCESSES

Abstract

We report a novel experimental finding of Te cluster films with fractal structure formed at annealing process and the Monte-Carlo simulation of this process. Te cluster films were prepared by using inert gas condensation method and annealed the sample in situ at 523K under TEM. The fractal patterns were formed because of evaporation when the substrate temperature increased. The simulation results indicate that the morphology of the nanofilm is not changed at first, but with increasing temperature some cavities appear due to evaporation. With further increasing temperature, those cavities are enlarged, then networks, fractal patterns and islands are formed subsequently. The turning point of temperature, at which the system has the fastest evaporating rate, is also obtained. It is predicated that the nanostructural films with special pattern and novel property can be achieved by annealing the cluster film in a controlled manner.