Method for forming a crystalline film for a paramagnetic sodium thallium type intermetallic compound
AssigneeSotek Corporation
InventorNorman E. Reitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A crystalline dual diamond sodium thallium type intermetallic compound is formed on a substrate surface from lithium and either aluminum, zinc or cadmium. The compound is grown within a magnetic field and, as a result, the compound is formed with a major crystallographic plane thereof aligned generally parallel to the field. Apparatus is disclosed for accomplishing formation of the compound. Silicon may later be grown on the surface of the compound.
Claims28
A method for forming a crystalline film of a paramagnetic sodium thallium type intermetallic compound having a dual diamond crystal structure, comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate;
- producing a layer on one surface of said substrate, said layer containing the constituent elements of said compound in substantially stoichiometric proportions to permit formation of said compound with the dual diamond sodium thallium type crystal structure in at least a portion of said layer;
- applying a magnetic field to said layer, said magnetic field having a selected orientation with respect to the orientation of said layer and having a strength sufficient to induce crystallization of a major crystallographic plane in aligned relation thereto;
- and
- heating said layer in the presence of said field at a sufficient temperature to permit crystallization to occur with a major crystallographic plane of said compound in aligned relation to the orientation of said magnetic field.
A method of forming a paramagnetic crystalline duel diamond sodium thallium type intermetallic compound upon a substrate, comprising:
- positioning a substrate having a region consisting essentially of metallic Li and a single species of an additional metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Zn and Cd in a substantially stoichiometric amount to form either LiAl, LiZn or LiCd on a surface of said substrate in a magnetic field at a selectively set angle to said surface;
- and
- heating said positioned region to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to form said intermetallic compound with a major crystallographic plane thereof aligned generally parallel to said field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.