Growth of periodic structures in pyrolytic laser-deposited SiC

Nonmelting surface interference ripples have been conclusively observed for the first time in thermally driven deposition of SiC from SiH4 and CH4. One set of ripples with a spatial frequency close to the primary beam wavelength (9.27 μm) is formed normal to the E field of the incident beam. An additional set of small-amplitude ripples of 1 μm or less in spacing and oriented parallel to the E field is also observed. These structural features are more pronounced in samples with higher melting points and completely disappear as the irradiated surface melts