Deposition of preformed gold clusters on HOPG and gold substrates: influence of the substrate on the thin film morphology

Nanometric gold clusters have been produced in a laser vaporisation source and deposited on HOPG and gold 111. surfaces. We have found that coalescence and diffusion of the incident clusters depend on the nature of the substrate. The influence of these processes on thin film morphologies is evidenced experimentally. Among those two substrates, the HOPG appears as a suitable candidate for gold cluster ordering in order to make devices at nanoscale level. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.