Nanoscale wire formation on sputter-eroded surfaces

Rotated ripple structures (RRS) on sputter-eroded surfaces are potential candidates for nanoscale wire fabrication. We show that the RRS can form when the width of the collision cascade in the longitudinal direction is larger than that in the transverse direction and the incident angle of ion beam is chosen in a specific window. By calculating the structure factor for the RRS, we find that they are more regular and their amplitude is more enhanced compared to the much studied ripple structure forming in the linear regime of sputter erosion.