Silicon nanowire-based oscillator achieved through solid-liquid phase switching

We have observed rapid solid-liquid phase-change oscillations in nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) microwires while investigating crystal growth from melt at micrometer scale through rapid self-heating. High amplitude oscillations in current through a single Si micro-/nanostructure are achieved as a result of an applied DC bias due to the difference in conductivity between crystalline and liquid phases of Si. We have observed experimental oscillation frequencies on the order of 1-10 MHz thus far. Here we demonstrate the scalability of this device concept by using finite element simulations and varying device size, capacitance, load resistance, and supply voltage.