Formation of Si nanodot arrays on the oxidized Si(1 0 0) surface

Self-organized formation of Si nanodot arrays on the oxidized Si(1 0 0) surfaces has been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. The growth of the oxide layer and subsequent Si deposition have been conducted under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Number density of the grown Si nanodots was in the range from 3 × 1 0 12 to 8 × 1 0 12 cm −2 and their average size varied from 3 to 5 nm. Effect of the SiO 2 layer thickness (0.2–2.2 nm), amount of deposited Si (0.5–7.5 ML) and growth temperature (60–450 ° C) on the Si nanodot number density and size distribution has been determined.