A New Way to Grow Tiny Crystal Triangles

Scientists have successfully created barium tungstate crystals using a cutting-edge technique known as high-temperature oxygen-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. This method involves shooting tiny particles at a heated tungsten surface, which is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

The Shape and Size of the Crystals

The resulting crystals were isosceles triangles, reminiscent of geometric drawings but on a microscopic scale. Each triangle was roughly the size of a speck of dust but only a few atomic layers thick.

Observing the Growth Process

To monitor the crystal formation, researchers employed a specialized electron microscope, which provided real-time imaging. Additional tools were used to analyze the composition and structure of the crystals, both immediately after formation and after cooling.

Unexpected Discoveries

The crystals were found to consist of barium, tungsten, and oxygen. Interestingly, the tungsten originated from the surface on which the crystals were grown, indicating that the crystals incorporated materials from their environment.

Crystal Orientation

The crystals exhibited a specific orientation, meaning they were not randomly arranged but aligned along particular directions within the crystal structure.