Figure 1. Schematic of radiation interference for silicon nanowire diameter control.

(a), Laser irradiation incident on the substrate surface induces a heat increase. (b), The increase in heating causes initiation of nanowire synthesis. (c), As the initial nanowire begins to develop radiation is scattered off the nanowire surface. (d), The incident beam and the scattered radiation interfere and the resulting intensity distribution confines the area where the nanowire forms.