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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
In this study Ni-Si and Co-Si films were deposited on fused quartz substrates by coevaporating the metal and silicon. The source separation and deposition rate were chosen to produce a composition range across the substrate. These films were then melted with a scanned cw argon laser beam. This results in a dramatic phase segregation that is readily observed in a light or scanning electron microscope. For the Ni-Si sample two phases separate into irregularly shaped regions up to ≈l10μm size. Electron microprobe measurements indicate that one phase is NiSi2 while the other is pure Si. With the Co-Si sample two phases segregate into narrow stripes that usually follow the temperature gradient produced by the scanned laser beam. The composition analysis indicates that these phases are CoSi and CoSi2. A possible cause for this morphology is discussed.