Molecular simulations of solid-liquid interfacial tension of silicon

The use of silicons as a semiconductor for manufacturing microchips used in computers and electronic devices was described. Liquid silicon is solidified to make high-grade solid semiconductor during the manufacturing process. The data of solid-liquid interfacial properties of silicon is useful for optimizing the experimental condition for making better quality electronics. Deep undercooling was achieved in bulk liquid silicon using containerless processing techniques such as electrostatic levitation and flux processing. The silicon solid-liquid interfacial properties and liquid-vapor surface tension of silicon were computed by evaluating free-energy using Monte Carlo simulations. Also silicon crystals undergoes superheating during heating process and structure melts at a temperature higher than the melting points. The results show that since the simulation was carried out at zero pressure, the enthalpy change at melting point was equal to the change of internal energy of the system.