Technology
Glass can be directly converted into a single crystal, avoiding the gaseous or liquid phase. Sb2S3 single crystals were grown in 16SbI3–84Sb2S3 glass as an example of this approach. As confirmed in this first unambiguous demonstration of an all-solid-state glass to crystal transformation, extraneous nucleation can be avoided during crystal growth via spatially localized laser heating, scanning of the laser in a specific direction relative to the orientation of the initially formed nucleus, and the inclusion of a suitable glass former in the composition. The ability to fabricate patterned single-crystal architecture on a glass surface (SCAG) was also demonstrated and provides a new class of micro-structured substrate for low-cost epitaxial growth, active planar devices, etc.
Potential Application
Many advanced technologies rely on single crystals of appropriate materials due to their unique mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties, including optical, electronic, photonic, aerospace, homeland security, and sensing applications. However, current methods are unsuitable for growing single crystals of incongruently melting, unstable, or metastable materials, which has limited their use.
Lehigh Tech ID # 091615-01
Opportunity