Fig. 1. SEM images of epitaxial silicon grown on graphite substrates. (a) and (b) from two areas on S1; (c) and (d) from two areas on S2.

Fig. 2. (Color online) AFM and TEM images of epitaxial thin Si film grown on graphite and graphene. (a) and (b) AFM images from samples S1 and S2, respectively. (c) and (d) TEM images from sample S3.

Fig. 3. (Color online) Raman spectra of epitaxial thin silicon on graphene. (a) Spectra from two sites on S1, compared with that of bulk Si. (b) Spectra from multiple sites of thin Si films, compared to graphite spectra (inset: an optical image of the area).

Fig. 4. (Color online) STM images and I–V curves of epitaxial thin silicon on graphite. (a) Current map over a large area containing three types of regions. (b) Comparison of I–V curves of the three types of regions under low bias voltages. (c) and (d) I–V curve and STM image of graphite. (e) and (f) I–V Curve and STM image of ultra-thin silicon. (g) and (h) I–V curve and STM image of thick silicon.