Regular pattern formation through the retraction and pinch-off of edges during solid-state dewetting of patterned single crystal films

We report the formation of regular patterns of metal lines via solid-state dewetting of lithographically patterned single-crystal Ni(110) films with square and cross shapes. During the solid-state dewetting, valleys develop behind retracting edges and eventually lead to pinch-off and formation of lines. Mass accumulation at convex pattern corners also leads to formation of lines. We show that the size of large-scale patterns and surface-energy anisotropy affect the smaller-scale dewetted structures in a deterministic way.