IR laser-induced carbothermal reduction of silicon monoxide

Pulsed IR laser irradiation of silicon monoxide in the presence of gaseous hydrocarbons (benzene or ethyne) results in carbothermal reduction of silicon monoxide by hydrocarbon decomposition products and allows deposition of nanosized carbon–silicon oxycarbide composites which were identified by FTIR, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by electron microscopy.