Crystal growth of radiating filaments of α-SiC formed by the conically converging shock-wave technique

Abstract

Filamentary crystals were grown out of the vapour generated from β-SiC powder using the conically converging shock-wave technique. The radiating filaments emerged in all directions from a central fine particle. From electron diffraction patterns and X-ray analyses, most of the filaments were found to be single crystals of α-SiC (4H or 6H) elongated in the [0001]-direction and originating by a vapour → solid transition mechanism. They were mostly covered with the droplet-like particles or fluid layers of amorphous Si grown by a vapour → liquid → solid transition mechanism. A possible mechanism for the growth of these radiating α-SiC filaments covered with amorphous Si droplets is proposed.