Gold crystal growth by photothermal laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

Gold crystals were grown on alumina substrates using photothermal laser-induced chemical vapor deposition with dimethyl gold hexafluoroacetylacetonate as the gold precursor. The overall shape of the deposits and the size of the crystallites in the deposit depended strongly on the laser power, buffer gas partial pressure and buffer gas type. Addition of oxygen or air resulted in a large increase in the size of the crystallites in the deposit, while addition of inert buffer gas resulted in the formation of dendritic structures. © 1988.