2023 journal article
Synthesis and novel properties of Q-silicon (January 2023)
MATERIALS RESEARCH LETTERS, 11(8), 688–696.
author keywords: Q-silicon synthesis; RT ferromagnetism; nanosecond laser melting and quenching
open access via www.tandfonline.com (publisher PDF)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being
(Web of Science)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: July 19, 2023
We report the discovery of Q-silicon with an atomic density of 60% higher than crystalline silicon while keeping the bonding characteristics the same as normal silicon. Distinct amorphous phases are created, when one, two, or three tetrahedra are randomly packed, and a crystalline phase of Q-silicon is formed when subunit cells are arranged along <110> directions with alternate holes. Nanosecond laser melting of amorphous silicon in an undercooled state and quenching have created Q-silicon with robust ferromagnetism compared to the diamagnetism of silicon. The blocking temperature of Q-silicon is estimated to be over 400 K, thus opening a new frontier for spin-based computing and atomic-level storage. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT The discovery of Q-silicon having robust RT ferromagnetism will open a new frontier in atomic-scale spin-based devices and functional integration with nanoelectronics. Other properties of interest include enhanced hardness and superconductivity.