Nanoscale self-organization using standing surface acoustic waves

The diffusion of an adatom on a substrate submitted to a standing surface acoustic wave is theoretically studied. By performing large scale molecular dynamic simulations, we show that the wave dynamically structures the substrate by encouraging the presence of the adatom in the vicinity of the maximum displacements of the substrate. Using an analytical model, we explain this feature introducing an effective potential induced by the wave. Applied in an atomic deposition experiment, this dynamic structuring process should govern the nucleation sites distribution opening the route to accurately control the self-organization process at the nanoscale.