EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS OF DISK-SHAPED PATTERNS IN Fe FILMS SPUTTERING DEPOSITED ON SILICONE OIL SURFACES

Abstract

We report the experimental observations of large spatially disk-shaped patterns in an iron (Fe) film system deposited on silicone oil surfaces by a DC-magnetron sputtering method. These disk patterns form spontaneously during deposition and grow successively in vacuum condition after deposition. Their nucleation, growth and evolution are strongly dependent on the sputtering power, deposition period and growth time. The experiment indicates that they may result from the spontaneous organization and gathering of the Fe atoms and atomic clusters driven by the internal stress.

Plasma Processing of Low Vapor Pressure Liquids to Generate Functional Surfaces

“…The first attempt to coat liquids was made by Ye et al, who successfully deposited continuous metallic films on silicone oil by RF magnetron sputtering and investigated the nucleation and growth mechanisms taking place during film formation [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Other groups followed this approach using different kinds of liquid substrate materials, such as silicone oils, ionic liquids and vegetable oils, to synthesize metal films and nanoparticles made of gold, silver, titanium, aluminum, iron, nickel and copper via sputtering and thermal evaporation processes [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Besides, the growth of crystals from different aromatic hydrocarbons, zinc, copper and gold on silicone oil and ionic liquids by vapor phase deposition was studied [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…Besides, the growth of crystals from different aromatic hydrocarbons, zinc, copper and gold on silicone oil and ionic liquids by vapor phase deposition was studied [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. It is unanimously reported that a multi-step formation mechanism occurs when depositing metals on liquids [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. First, nucleation and growth of smaller clusters can be observed.…”

“…Those clusters freely float on the liquid’s surface and gradually form bigger aggregates. Finally, closed, free standing films are obtained which feature characteristic, regular microstructures or cracks which exhibit surprising similarities for the examined materials [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 27 ]. Internal film stress is discussed as the main reason for the appearance of microstructures, wrinkles and cracks [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 27 ].…”

Sputtering onto liquids: a critical review

“…They also showed the coercivity behavior of the Fe film and its temperature dependence [ 272 ]. The observation of the Fe thin film morphology deposited by sputtering over silicon oil painted onto a frosted glass surface has been further investigated [ 130 , 141 , 273 ]. The appearance of disk-shaped structures has been reported [ 141 ].…”

“…The observation of the Fe thin film morphology deposited by sputtering over silicon oil painted onto a frosted glass surface has been further investigated [ 130 , 141 , 273 ]. The appearance of disk-shaped structures has been reported [ 141 ]. Moreover, the impact of annealing on the microstructure and properties of a Fe thin film has been studied [ 273 ].…”