Abstract: Based on the Lindemann melting model, a model related to gold nanoparticle size and melting temperature for VLS grown silicon nanowire is proposed. Eutectic temperatures of Au–Si with different gold sizes have been calculated using the model and are in agreement with the experimental results. This model has been demonstrated to be reasonable, and it can be used to determine the growth temperature of silicon nanowire.

Key words: silicon nanowire,  eutectic temperature