Y Xiang et al 2010 Nanotechnology 21 105703 doi:10.1088/0957-4484/21/10/105703
Y Xiang1, I Zardo1, L Y Cao2, T Garma1,3, M Heiß1,3, J R Morante4,5, J Arbiol4,6, M L Brongersma2 and A Fontcuberta i Morral1,3
Show affiliationsThe structure of indium-catalyzed germanium nanowires is investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning confocal Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanowires are formed by a crystalline core and an amorphous shell. We find that the diameter of the crystalline core varies along the nanowire, down to few nanometers. Phonon confinement effects are observed in the regions where the crystalline region is the thinnest. The results are consistent with the thermally insulating behavior of the core–shell nanowires.
78.67.-n Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures
61.46.-w Structure of nanoscale materials
78.30.Am Elemental semiconductors and insulators
Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical
Issue 10 (12 March 2010)
Received 21 August 2009, in final form 10 November 2009
Published 15 February 2010
Y Xiang et al 2010 Nanotechnology 21 105703
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