Clusters obtained by sputter deposition of cobalt atoms on alumina

Citation
Jl. Maurice et al., Clusters obtained by sputter deposition of cobalt atoms on alumina, PHIL MAG A, 79(12), 1999, pp. 2921-2934
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE A-PHYSICS OF CONDENSED MATTER STRUCTURE DEFECTS ANDMECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ISSN journal
13642804 → ACNP
Volume
79
Issue
12
Year of publication
1999
Pages
2921 - 2934
Database
ISI
SICI code
1364-2804(199912)79:12<2921:COBSDO>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
We report on aggregation of Co on a smooth amorphous alumina surface, durin g sputter deposition of Co atoms at room temperature. The atomic structure of the Co grains appears to be size dependent: hcp in the larger bean-shape d clusters (greater than 3 nm), and often fee in the smaller, almost spheri cal clusters. The deposits show relatively narrow distributions of the clus ter sizes and of the intercluster distances, which results in a noticeable local order and explains how charge blocking (the so-called Coulomb blockad e) could be observed in large sets of such particles by Schelp et al. (1997 , Phys. Rev. B, 56, R5747). Electrical percolation occurs at a nominal thic kness of about 2 nm.