Diffusion mechanism for self assembly on inhomogeneously strained surfaces

Growth of nanostructures with controlled shape, on inhomogeneously strained surfaces, is investigated by means of kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations. We propose a method to assemble self organized sub-lithographic nanostructures. The method is based on a strain-assisted mechanism for adatom surface diffusion and nucleation. For an inhomogeneous surface strain field there is normally a driving force toward the most tensile strained areas. It is shown by means of KMC simulations, that almost straight and continuous Ag nanowires can be produced on the Pt(111) surface if the growth is followed by high-temperature annealing. We suggest also how the method can be utilized as the first step of a process to reduce the circuit line width.