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Microstructural evolution of SiO{sub x} films and its effect on the luminescence of Si nanoclusters

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3006735· OSTI ID:21185899
; ; ; ; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. MATIS CNR-INFM and Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universita di Catania, Via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania (Italy)
  2. CNR-IMM, Stradale Primosole 50, 95121 Catania (Italy)
  3. STMicroelectronics, Stradale Primosole 50, 95121 Catania (Italy)
In this paper we demonstrate that the structural and optical properties of Si nanoclusters (Si ncs) formed by thermal annealing of SiO{sub x} films prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and magnetron sputtering are very different. In fact, at a fixed Si excess and annealing temperature, photoluminescence (PL) spectra of sputtered samples are redshifted with respect to PECVD samples, denoting a larger Si ncs size. In addition, PL intensity reaches a maximum in sputtered films at annealing temperatures much lower than those needed in PECVD films. These data are correlated with structural properties obtained by energy filtered transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. It is shown that in PECVD films only around 30% of the Si excess agglomerates in clusters while an almost complete agglomeration occurs in sputtered films. These data are explained on the basis of the different initial structural properties of the as-deposited films that become crucial for the subsequent evolution.
OSTI ID:
21185899
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 104; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English