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Electron energy-loss studies on radio frequency sputtered a-Ge/sub 1-//sub x/C/sub x/:H films

Journal Article · · J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.574311· OSTI ID:6166898

Valence-band and core level electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to study rf sputter deposited hydrogenerated amorphous germanium carbide films (a-Ge/sub 1-//sub x/C/sub x/:H, 0less than or equal toxless than or equal to1). The optical gap of the films ranged from 0.8--1.0 eV in a-Ge:H to 1.2--2.3 eV in a-C:H. Valence-band EELS of clean sputter etched a-Ge and a-Ge:H films (x = 0), as compared to that of Ar sputter etched Ge(111) and hydrogen covered single crystals of Ge, respectively, indicated preferential sputtering of hydrogen by Ar ions, in contrast to recent observations on rf sputter deposited a-Si:H, where Ar etching did not cause complete depletion of hydrogen from the surface. In a-Ge/sub 1-//sub x/C/sub x/:H alloy films (0

Research Organization:
Microelectronics Research Center, Department of Physics and Ames Laboratory-USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
OSTI ID:
6166898
Journal Information:
J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States) Vol. 5:5; ISSN JVTAD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English