Method of fabricating multiple nanowires of uniform length from a single catalytic nanoparticle

Abstract

A method is described for fabricating multiple nanowires of uniform length from a single precursor nucleation particle. The method includes growing a first nanowire segment from a nanoparticle and growing a second nanowire segment between the first nanowire segment and the nanoparticle. The first nanowire segment and the second nanowire segment have a different solubility.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a nanoparticle; and    a plurality of nanowire segments attached to the nanoparticle, wherein at least two of the nanowire segments have a different solubility.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the nanowire segments that is directly attached to the nanoparticle comprises germanium.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the nanowire segments that is disposed at an end opposite to the nanoparticle comprises germanium.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle comprises a gold particle.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the nanowire segment comprises silicon.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanowire segments comprise: 
 a first nanowire segment; and    a second nanowire segment attached between the first nanowire segment and the nanoparticle, wherein the first nanowire segment and the second nanowire segment have different solubility.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanowire segments comprise: 
 a first nanowire segment; and    a second nanowire segment attached between the first nanowire segment and a third nanowire segment, the third nanowire segment attached between the second nanowire segment and the nanoparticle, wherein the second nanowire segment and the third nanowire segment have different solubility.