High resolution radially symmetric nanostructures from simultaneous electron beam induced etching and deposition.

Electron beam induced etching (EBIE) and deposition (EBID) are promising fabrication techniques in which an electron beam is used to dissociate surface-adsorbed precursor molecules to achieve etching or deposition. Spatial resolution is normally limited by the electron flux distribution at the substrate surface. Here we present simultaneous EBIE and EBID (EBIED) as a method for surpassing this resolution limit by using adsorbate depletion to induce etching and deposition in adjacent regions within the electron flux profile. Our simulation results indicate the possibility of growth control of radially symmetric nanostructures at the sub-1 nm length scale on bulk substrates. The technique is well suited to the fabrication of ring-shaped nanostructures such as those employed in plasmonics, sensing devices, magneto-optics and magnetoelectronics.