Fundamental electron-precursor-solid interactions derived from time-dependent electron-beam-induced deposition simulations and experiments.

Unknown parameters critical to understanding the electron-precursor-substrate interactions during electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID) have long limited our ability to fully control this nanoscale, directed assembly method. We report here values that describe the precursor-solid interaction, the precursor surface diffusion coefficient (D), the precursor sticking probability (delta), and the mean precursor surface residence time (tau), which are critical parameters for understanding the assembly of EBID deposits. Values of D = 6.4 microm(2) s(-1), delta = 0.0250, and tau = 3.20 ms were determined for a commonly used precursor molecule, tungsten hexacarbonyl W(CO)6. Space and time predictions of the adsorbed precursor coverage were solved by an explicit finite differencing numerical scheme. Evolving nanopillar surface morphology was derived from simulations considering electron-induced dissociation as the critical depletion term. This made it possible to infer the space- and time-dependent precursor coverage both on and around nanopillar structures to better understand local precursor dynamics during mass-transport-limited (MTL) and reaction-rate-limited (RRL) EBID.