Preferential Interface Nucleation: An Expansion of the VLS Growth Mechanism for Nanowires
A review and expansion of the fundamental processes of the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism for nanowires is presented. Although the focus is on nanowires, most of the concepts may be applicable to whiskers, nanotubes, and other unidirectional growth. Important concepts in the VLS mechanism such as preferred deposition, supersaturation, and nucleation are examined. Nanowire growth is feas