Growth dynamics of quasi-one-dimensional confined Au nanoparticles on SiO2 surface

•Strips, 150 nm width, of Au nanoparticles on SiO2 surface are fabricated.•The growth of the Au nanoparticles inside the strips, induced by the thermal process, is studied.•Temperature evolution of size, density and spacing evolution of the Au nanoparticles is quantified.

We report a study on the growth process, induced by thermal treatments, of Au nanoparticles confined in a quasi-one dimensional geometry on SiO2 surface. Narrow stripes, 150 nm width, of Au nanoparticles on the SiO2 surface were generated by a combination of electron beam lithography and Au sputter-deposition. Then, annealing processes are performed to induce the growth of the nanoparticles. The mean size, spacing and surface density of the nanoparticles were quantified, as a function of the annealing temperature, by scanning electron microscopy analyses. The evolution of such parameters, as a function of the annealing temperature, allows us to infer information about the nanoparticles growth mechanism.