In-Situ TEM Observation of Crystal-Facet-Dependent Self-Rearranging Gold Atoms Under Tensile Stress Controlled by MEMS Nanoprobe Positioner

We have newly observed the gold atom migration and rearrangement at the artificially made point contact in a well controlled manner using microactuated probes with nano positioning accuracy. In-situ TEM observation revealed that the initial gold facet before contact strongly influences the shape of a nanobridge during the tensile test. Crystallographic facets of (211 macr), (101 macr) and (110 macr) at the nanocontact correspond to the formation of an inhomogeneous nanowire, a thinned nanocontact, and a homogeneous nano-contact, respectively.