| abstract |
A method for forming a uniformly oriented crystalline sheet, wherein a plurality of crystallites are introduced into a liquid. At least a portion of the crystallites float on the surface of the liquid, and are induced to self orientate until they are uniformly oriented in a compact mosaic configuration, while their sintering is prevented. A uniformly oriented crystalline sheet is formed from the compact mosaic configuration, for example, by sintering the crystallites. An apparatus for forming a crystalline sheet includes a container containing a liquid, wherein a plurality of crystallites are introduced and at least a portion thereof float on the surface of the liquid without sintering. The apparatus also includes a flow unit for inducing a flow of the liquid which moves the floating crystallites, and self-orientation means for allowing self-orientation of the floating crystallites, without sintering, until the floating crystallites are uniformly oriented in a compact mosaic configuration, ready for forming a uniformly oriented crystalline sheet, for example, by sintering the crystallites. |