Hysteresis in the melting kinetics of Bi nanoparticles

Structural properties as a function of temperature of bismuth nanocrystals embedded in amorphous germanium thin films, synthesised by laser ablation are investigated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. In addition to temperature anharmonic effects, Raman spectroscopy results reveal a melting solidification hysteresis, which takes place below the melting point of bulk bismuth. Furthermore, preliminary X-ray diffraction results suggest that the nanocrystals change in structure upon heating until melting occurs. However, the nanocrystals recover their original structure once the sample is cooled at room temperature.