Electrochemical synthesis of crystalline compound or alloy films

摘要

A new method to synthesize crystalline films, superlattices and multilayered devices based on metallic or semiconductor compounds or alloys in electrolyte media on non-crystalline substrates. An automated sequence of flow, equilibration and underpotential electrodeposition from a single electrolyte comprising the film constituents leads to the synthesis of stoichiometric, epitaxial layers. The invention process is based on a new concept of electrochemical molecular layer epitaxy; it provides a relatively simple, fast and inexpensive method to fabricate a wide range of high quality technological materials, ranging from large-area single phase films to multiple quantum-well structures.