Strain relaxed Co nanocrystals formation from thin films on sapphire substrate induced by nano-second laser irradiation

We report the phase transformation of Co thin films on a sapphire substrate induced by laser irradiation. As grown Co films were initially strained and tetragonally distorted. With low power laser irradiation, the surface was ruptured and irregular holes were formed. As the laser power was increased, the films changed into round shape Co nanocrystals with well-defined 6-fold structure. By measuring the XRD of Co nanostructure as a function of laser energy densities, we found that the change of morphological shapes from films to nanocrystals was accompanied with decrease of the tetragonal distortion as well as strain relaxation. By measuring the size distribution of nanocrystals as a function of film thickness, the average diameter is proportional to 1.7 power of the film thickness which was consistent with the prediction of thin film hydrodynamic (TFT) dwetting theory. Finally, we fabricated the formation of size controlling nanocrystals on the sapphire substrate without strain.