Structure of bismuth films obtained using an array of identically oriented single-crystal bismuth islands preliminarily grown on a substrate

An array of identically oriented single-crystal bismuth islands formed on mica plates is used as a substrate to improve the structure of bismuth thin films grown by vacuum thermal evaporation. The array of islands is formed by the chemical etching of a single-crystal bismuth film 1 $\mu$m thick grown by floating-zone recrystallization under a coating. The structure of the obtained films is studied by X-ray diffraction, atomicforce microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction scanning electron microscopy.