Single-crystal semiconductor wires integrated into microstructured optical fibers

The growth of single crystal silicon wires within the pores of microstructured optical fibers through as high pressure fluid-liquid-solid approach was reported. The pores were flushed with pure CO₂ at 133 MPa after deposition of the gold plugs to dissolve and expel any residual Me₂Au(tfac) that is likely to remain and avoid nucleation and growth of the nosechair nanowires. A growth rate of ca. 0.7 μm min^-1 at 370°C, higher than the 0.01 μm min^-1 min rate, are predicted from an Arrhenius expression for wires grown in alumina templates at 0.65 Torr. Non-template VLS wires of a similar diameter grow in a (111) direction, indicating a very high pressure growth process or the presence of the template affecting the growth direction.