Synthesis of calcium monosilicide nanowires by reactive deposition technique

The CaSi nanowires were synthesized on Si substrate by reactive deposition technique. A great amount of Ca vapor reacted with surface of cleaned Si substrate, and CaSi nanowires was grown on the as-synthesized CaSi film. The diameter of nanowires could achieve with a minimum value about 25 nm. The CaSi nanowire was self-orient along the <001> direction. We can control the length of nanowires by experimental parameter settings, such as quantity of Ca source, duration time and temperature. The formation mechanism of Ca-silicides on Si substrate was discussed in detail. Raman spectroscopy shows that the nanosized character for CaSi phase was confirmed. Meanwhile, the Ca-silicides layer showed a strong absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the solar spectrum, indicating their potential applications.