Nanofabrication on ZnO nanowires

ZnO nanowires were subjected to convergent electron beam irradiation in a 300 kV transmission electron microscope. The size of perforated hexagonal pores generated by irradiation can vary with the beam size. An irradiated area is denuded layer by layer via removal of Zn and O atoms. The polar ZnO surfaces have a higher resistance to irradiation than the unpolar ones. Ultrathin nanobridges, ∼1 nm thick or less, were generated through deliberate removal of Zn and O atomic monolayers.