Evolution of the nanostructure of deposits grown by electron beam induced deposition

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was used to perform electron beam induced deposition (EBID) using a W F6 precursor. The deposits consist of WO₃ nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous matrix. Oxide formation is attributed to residual oxidizers present in the ESEM chamber during EBID. Under conditions of fixed low electron flux, the WO₃ grain size and the degree of deposit crystallinity increase with time. These changes correlate with the degree of electron energy deposition into the material during growth, indicating that electron beam induced modification of as-grown material is significant in controlling the nanostructure and functionality of materials fabricated by EBID.