Copper silicide nanocrystals in silicon nanowires

We report the formation of a new type of nanosized composite of copper sili cide nanocrystals embedded in a silicon nanowire that obtained by laser abl ation of Si/metal mixture targets at 1200 degreesC in an argon gas flow. Li ke the bulk phase of crystal silicon, the copper atoms were found have a hi gh solubility in the silicon nanowires and precipitate in the nanowires, Th e silicon wires are smooth in surfaces and straight in length, while the co pper silicide nanocrystals are sphere-shaped. The diameters of the nanocrys tals increase with that of the host nanowire, Because of Si nanowires and c opper silicide nanocrystals have distinctive electronic and optical propert ies, the composite nanowires may possess unique properties arising from bot h the size and the interface effects that are of fundamental and applicatio n interests. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.