Patent ID: 7247396

Claim:
A layer structure for crystallographically orienting a layer of a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) material formed thereon, comprising, in overlying sequence: (a) a first crystalline layer of a material having a first lattice parameter and a strong preferred growth orientation; (b) a second crystalline layer of a material having a second lattice parameter and the same strong preferred growth orientation as said first crystalline layer; and (c) a third crystalline layer of a hcp material having a lattice parameter similar to or different from said second lattice parameter of said second crystalline layer and a strong preferred growth orientation; wherein said second crystalline layer has a lower interfacial energy with said first crystalline layer and a higher interfacial energy with said third crystalline layer, owing to a lower surface energy of said first crystalline layer and a higher surface energy of said second crystalline layer, and said second crystalline layer has a melting temperature (T m ) not less than about 2,100° C.