Diameter distributions of metallic nanowires formed by galvanic deposition inside polymer matrix pores

Nanowires of copper and permalloy with diameters between 80 and 400 nm and lengths up to 40 μm have been formed by the template technique. Foils of polycarbonate and polyimide were irradiated with energetic lead ions. The formed latent ion tracks were chemically etched to pores. These were galvanically filled with metal, thus forming the nanowires. After removal of the polymer matrix, the nanowires were investigated under the scanning electron microscope. Their diameter is a linear function of the pore etching time. At low diameters around 100 nm they show a scatter in diameter of above 10%, at diameters > 100 nm, the scatter is around 4% to 6%.