Abstract
Glancing angle deposition (GLAD) on a smooth substrate has certain limitations, which may be overcome if nanoparticles are deposited first. This study compares the growth of silver columns on a smooth substrate and over pre-deposited small copper (circle divide 16 nm) and big C:H plasma polymer nanoparticles (circle divide 110 nm).
Cu nanoparticles help to the growth of the columns but their surface density does not play a major role. C: H nanoparticles ensure the growth of the column from each particle and therefore increased surface density of C: H nanoparticles results in an increased number of columns.
In addition, the columns grow even at very small angles of incidence (40 degrees). At high angles of incidence secondary columns start to grow on primary columns and also on the smooth substrate surface in between them.