Metal-mediated growth of alternate semiconductor–insulator nanostructures

Using gold-(lead, tin, antimony or indium) catalysts, we have successfully grown chain-like nanostructures that have a periodic arrangement of crystalline-silicon nanospheres and amorphous silicon oxide. The growth was sensitive to the temperature at which additional metal such as lead was mixed to the gold catalyst. The chains were characterized with electron energy-loss spectroscopy. We observed a peak at 8 eV that was attributed to the surface-plasmon excitation of crystalline-silicon nanospheres covered with a thin silicon oxide layer.