Vertically aligned single-crystalline silicon nanocone (Si-NC) arrays are grown on nickel-coated silicon (100) substrates by a novel method i.e.,abnormal glow-discharge plasma sputtering reaction deposition.The experimental results show that the inlet CH4/(N2+H2) ratio has great effects on the morphology of the grown Si-NC arrays.The characterization of the morphology,crystalline structure and composition of the grown Si-NCs indicates that the Si-NCs are grown epitaxially in the vapor-liquid-solid mode.The analyses of optical emission spectra further reveal that the inlet methane can promote the growth of Si-NCs by raising the plasma temperature and enhancing the ion-sputtering.The understanding of the growth mechanism of the Si-NC arrays will be helpful for fabrication of required Si-NC arrays.