Mechanism of droplet motion and in-plane nanowire formation with and without electromigration

Au deposition on Si(110) at temperature higher than 633 K leads to the formation of elongated liquid nano-droplets. In this work we show that under an electric field, droplets move along [1–10] axis towards positive electrode by electromigration. During motion, they dissolve substrate forming a hole underneath and nanowire behind them. We develop model highlighting driving force these processes is bound respect (i) Au-Si bulk chemical equilibrium (ii) correct balance surface/interfacial energies. The motion takes place means sudden jumps with length order few ?m small readjustments some nm droplet front back edges. With experiments without electromigration changes widening dissolution facilitating jumps.