Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Ordered arrays of gold particles have been fabricated on gold-coated Si(100) surfaces by pre-patterning the surface with a nanoindenter. During thermal annealing the Au is observed to accumulate within the residual indents. Once nucleated, the Au particles grow at the expense of smaller surface particles via an Ostwald-ripening process. The size of the Au particles is controlled by the initial thickness of the deposited Au layer, the size of the indentation (which is controlled with a high degree of precision), and the annealing conditions. Particles of ˜200 nm dimensions are formed in indents of ˜1 μm dimensions whilst nanoparticles of ˜20 nm are observed in the smallest indents made (˜50 nm). We have also demonstrated patterning of Au by indentation of a Au layer sandwiched between two SiO2 films deposited on Si by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. Here, cracking of the SiO2 layer occurs allowing Au to diffuse to the surface at the indented locations during post-indentation annealing.