화학공학소재연구정보센터
Langmuir, Vol.33, No.3, 814-819, 2017
Observation of Ultrathin Precursor Film Formation during Ge-Si Liquid-Phase Epitaxy from an Undersaturated Solution
Our in situ X-ray study shows that a silicon substrate in contact with an undersaturated In(Ge) solution is wetted by an approximately 1 nm thin germanium film, which does not grow any thicker. The results can be understood by the use of thickness-dependent correlated interfacial energies. This near-equilibrium heterogeneous interface structure marks the initial stage of crystal growth before the formation of bulk material, which can only form under conditions of super saturation. This finding uncovers a fundamental aspect of the thermodynamics at solid liquid interfaces relevant for understanding the transition from equilibrium to supersaturation and is of importance for nanoscale solution growth methods.