Large-grain poly-crystalline silicon thin films prepared by aluminum-induced crystallization of sputter-deposited hydrogenated amorphous silicon
- University of Arkansas
- ORNL
A metal-induced crystallization (MIC) technique was used to produce large-grain poly-crystalline silicon. Two sets of samples were prepared by first sputtering Al onto glass substrates. For one set of samples, hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) was sputtered on top of the Al without breaking the vacuum. For the second set, the samples were taken out of the vacuum chamber and exposed to the atmosphere to grow a very thin layer of native aluminum oxide before sputter depositing the a-Si:H. Both sets of samples were then annealed at temperatures between 400 and 525C for 40 min. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the crystallization of the samples. Scanning Auger microanalysis was used to confirm that the a-Si:H and Al layers exchanged positions in this structure during the crystallization process. Auger mapping revealed the formation of large grain poly-silicon (10-20 m). A model is proposed to explain how the crystallization process progresses with anneal temperature.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); High Temperature Materials Laboratory
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 930788
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Materials Research, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 21; ISSN JMREEE; ISSN 0884-2914
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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