Laser-induced phase separation of silicon carbide

Abstract

Understanding the phase separation mechanism of solid-state binary compounds induced by laser–material interaction is a challenge because of the complexity of the compound materials and short processing times. Here we present xenon chloride excimer laser-induced melt-mediated phase separation and surface reconstruction of single-crystal silicon carbide and study this process by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and a time-resolved reflectance method. A single-pulse laser irradiation triggers melting of the silicon carbide surface, resulting in a phase separation into a disordered carbon layer with partially graphitic domains (∼2.5 nm) and polycrystalline silicon (∼5 nm). Additional pulse irradiations cause sublimation of only the separated silicon element and subsequent transformation of the disordered carbon layer into multilayer graphene. The results demonstrate viability of synthesizing ultra-thin nanomaterials by the decomposition of a binary system.

Characterization of Copper–Graphite Composites Fabricated via Electrochemical Deposition and Spark Plasma Sintering

“…The amount of carbon and oxygen atoms decreased with distance from the surface, while the pure copper composition increased in weight. This strongly reflected that the rGO and GO interfacial layers formed the anisotropic composite structure [31][32][33].…”

Macroscopic electron-hole distribution in silicon and cubic silicon carbide by the intense femtosecond laser pulse

“…However, for its hardness and chemical and mechanical stability, SiC is difficult to process. The processing by the femtosecond laser pulse enables the processing of SiC by the nonlinear processes 30 . Figure 6 shows the dielectric function of 3C-SiC with FIG.…”

Laser–Material Interactions for Flexible Applications

“…Wavelength and pulse duration, as illustrated in Figure a, are considered critical in the area of laser–material interaction because their thermodynamic effect impacts flexible applications. For example, the synthesis of graphene by irradiation of a nanosecond pulsed laser has been demonstrated through laser‐induced decomposition of Si atoms from the SiC surface . For the formation of welded metal NWs, various types of light sources such as lasers and lamps have been utilized for plasmonic interactions of nanomaterials .…”

“…For instance, the fabrication of transparent conductors, crystalline oxide TFTs, and ferroelectric thin films on flexible substrates have been successfully demonstrated using laser–material interaction or laser processing. Absorbed laser energy in the targeted material/substrate allows the formulation of novel materials with enhanced material properties through laser‐induced reactions such as photo‐oxidation, reduction, hydrothermal growth, or phase separation of nanomaterials . Especially, the hydrothermal growth methods by laser heat source enable the local growth on any arbitrary surface, even on a complicated structure as a three‐dimensional structure.…”