Figure 6

Schematic description of nucleation and evolution of InN nanowires in the self-catalyzed growth process. a Formation of liquid InN _x microparticles. b Nucleation of multiple InN crystallites inside the liquid InN _x microparticles. c Anisotropic growth of InN nanowires from the crystallites along [0001] direction out of the InN _x microparticles. d Further growth of InN nanowires with the help of amorphous InN _x sheath in liquid phase after InN _x microparticles disappeared and e a magnified view of one InN nanowire, inset showing the TEM image of InN nanowires with a sharp tip wrapped around an amorphous layer