Electronically stabilized nanowire growth.

Metallic nanowires show unique physical properties owing to their one-dimensional nature. Many of these unique properties are intimately related to electron-electron interactions, which have a much more prominent role in one dimension than in two or three dimensions. Here we report the direct visualization of quantum size effects responsible for preferred lengths of self-assembled metallic iridium nanowires grown on a germanium (001) surface.

Imaging ultra thin layers with helium ion microscopy: Utilizing the channeling contrast mechanism.

Background: Helium ion microscopy is a new high-performance alternative to classical scanning electron microscopy. It provides superior resolution and high surface sensitivity by using secondary electrons.

Results: We report on a new contrast mechanism that extends the high surface sensitivity that is usually achieved in secondary electron images, to backscattered helium images.