1c-Si Eutectic

Eutectics is a fascinating physical phenomenon that takes place when two elements, such as silicon and a metal, are combined. The melting point of silicon, for example, is lowered when combined with a metal such as gold. This is an old discovery, and idea. What is new about our Eutectic approach is the following: when depositing the silicon from the eutectic melt we keep the temperature constant (above the Eutectic temp.) and increase the amount of silicon until heterogeneous nucleation takes place, allowing for large grained or single crystal thin film deposition.