The invention provides a method of self-
assembly growth of a large-area, even and ordered Ge
quantum dot array on a
Si substrate by
sputtering deposition. The method includes preparation of ultrathin Si-based AAO (
anodic aluminum oxide), preparation of a pattern substrate by nano-pore replication, and self-
assembly growth of the even, ordered Ge
quantum dot array on the surface of the pattern substrate by
ion beam
sputtering.
Quantum dot growth process matching with the pattern substrate is obtained by controlling
ion beam
sputtering deposition temperature,
ion beam flux
voltage, and buffer
layer thickness, so that Ge
quantum dot nano-pores evenly and orderly grow at
nucleation center. Even-size Ge quantum dots obtained are in hexagonal symmetrical distribution on the surface of the
Si substrate, and the
diameter of the quantum dots is adjustable. The method effectively overcomes the defects that distribution of the self-assembled Ge / Si quantum dots is random and disorder in position, the size is uneven,
controllability is low, and preparation cost is high. The large-area, even, ordered and small-sized Ge
quantum dot array is prepared at low cost. The method is applicable to manufacture of devices such as
silicon-base quantum-dot light emitters, quantum-dot photoelectric detectors and efficient quantum-dot solar cells.