Helium-plasma–Induced Straight Nanofiber Growth on HCP Metals

Abstract Low-energy helium (He) plasma irradiations were conducted on ruthenium (Ru) and rhenium (Re), which have hexagonal close packed (HCP) crystal structures. Growth of linear shaped fiberform nanostructures were identified on the surfaces of the both metals after the He plasma irradiation. We also conducted He plasma irradiation while Re particles were deposited on tungsten substrate; 3-mm-thick large scale fiberform nanostructures were grown on the surface. The crystal orientation was analyzed using diffraction patterns of Re and Ru nanofibers together with detailed transmission electron microscope observations. It was found that the growth of linear nanofibers has a preferential crystal orientation in the growth direction and it is always in the c-direction of the HCP crystals. Potential growth processes and mechanisms are proposed based on the experimental observations.