Carrier transport at grain boundaries in semiconductors

Journal Article · Thu Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.333793· OSTI ID:6285019

Matare, H F

This review describes the characteristics of dislocations in dislocation arrays and grain boundaries as they appear in imperfect and polycrystalline semiconductors. To further the understanding of the electronic features of these structures, metallurgical and crystallographic aspects of grain boundaries are reviewed. Grain-boundary diffusion is discussed as part of the metallurgy of bicrystal interfaces. Carrier transport at grain boundaries is described as it has been developed from the studies on germanium and III-V-compound bicrystals. Important features are lateral blocking layers, longitudinal or sheet conduction, space-charge extension with lateral bias, recombination and photovoltaic effects. Attention is focused on the activity to understand grain-boundary effects in silicon and their influence on electronic materials properties, a research area of particular importance during recent years. The application of silicon polycrystals in solar cells and in microcircuitry in the form of polycrystalline thin films has enhanced the understanding of dislocations and grain boundaries as they are considered here. Propositions for future research conclude this review.

• Research Organization: International Solid State Electronics Consultants, Los Angeles, California 90049
• OSTI ID: 6285019
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 56:10; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CHARGE CARRIERS
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
CRYSTAL DEFECTS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DISLOCATIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
IMPURITIES
INTERFACES
LINE DEFECTS
MATERIALS
MICROELECTRONICS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYCRYSTALS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
REVIEWS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THIN FILMS
USES