Growth, structure and properties of chains of crystalline-Si nanospheres

We have fabricated novel self-organized nanostructures, chains of crystalline-Si nanospheres via an extension of the vapor–liquid–solid process from metal catalysts. The growth mechanism was revealed through transmission electron microscopy observations and computer simulations. By controlling metal impurities in the catalysts, we have grown dense chains of crystalline-Si nanospheres. We performed Raman scattering measurements of the chains and found that phonons were confined in the Si nanospheres in the chains and that the Si nanospheres were under compressive stress.