Another highlight of materials science research at the University of Leoben is the development of an innovative process for producing hexagonal silicon crystals. As part of a cooperation between the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and Austria, researchers from the Department of Materials Science led by Ass.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Verena Maier-Kiener and Dipl.-Ing. Gerald Schaffar have published their results in the prestigious journal Small Structures (Impact Factor 14).
The study entitled “Formation of Micrometer Sized Textured Hexagonal Silicon Crystals via Nanoindentation and Annealing” describes a novel method in which nanoindentation - precise mechanical indentation at the nanoscale - is combined with subsequent heat treatment. This makes it possible to produce ordered, micrometer-sized hexagonal silicon crystals with an ideal morphology.
Hexagonal silicon is considered a promising alternative to conventional cubic silicon due to its potentially advantageous physical properties. It opens up new perspectives for applications in photovoltaics, microelectronics and optoelectronics. The method presented represents a breakthrough in the controlled transformation of the crystal structure and delivers reproducible results with industrial potential for the first time.
Further investigations will now clarify the electronic, mechanical and thermal performance of the novel crystal structure and evaluate possibilities for scaling up the process. The research team sees the method as a promising way forward for future high-tech applications.
