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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2011
Ion irradiation effects in nanowires are of increasing interest due to potential applications of the wires as e.g. current-carrying elements in transistors or as efficient light emitters. Although several experiments have already demonstrated such functionalities, very few theoretical studies on the fundamental mechanisms of ion irradiation have been carried out. To shed light on the basic mechanisms of nanowire irradiation, we have simulated 0.03- 10 keV Ar ion irradiation of Si nanowires with a < 111 >-oriented axis and with all side facets being < 112 >. We compare the results with those for Si surfaces and bulk. The results show that the damage production in the nanowire is strongly influenced by surface effects.