Vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline structures

摘要

The present invention provides vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline materials and a method for their preparation. The method includes the deposition of a polycrystalline material on a substrate followed by removing the material from the substrate so as to expose a vicinal surface having stepped terraces. The step of removing the material from the substrate may be preceded by annealing. The vicinal surfaces are useful for a variety of applications.

主权项

1. A polycrystalline material comprising grains, each grain being misoriented with respect to its neighbors, wherein said polycrystalline material comprises misoriented grains throughout its entire thickness and on its surfaces, and wherein at least one surface of the polycrystalline material is a vicinal surface having stepped terraces comprising steps of atomic scale.