Abstract
A silicon substrate patterned by an oxide is immersed in an alcohol solution of low-doped 1-nm Si nanoparticles. Reverse biasing draws particles to the substrate, mostly along the conducting current paths.
Scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy show a tree-like network on the substrate. Avoidance of closed loops and preference for an angle of branching of 90°-120° are observed. The building
block of the tree network is not individual particles but spherical particle aggregates ~150 nm in diameter.