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Epitaxial Silicon Thin Films by Low Temperature Aluminum Induced Crystallization of Amorphous Silicon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Husam H. Abu-Safe
Affiliation:
habusaf@uark.edu, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Photovoltaic Research Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, United States
Hameed A. Naseem
Affiliation:
hanaseem@uark.edu, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Photovoltaic Research Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, United States
William D. Brown
Affiliation:
wdb@uark.edu, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Photovoltaic Research Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, United States
Mowafak Al-Jassim
Affiliation:
mowafak_aljassim@nrel.gov, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado, 80401, United States
Ram Kishore
Affiliation:
rkishore@mail.nplindia.ernet.in, National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishman Road, New Delhi-110012, N/A, India
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Abstract

Epitaxial silicon thin film growth has been achieved on crystalline silicon substrates using aluminum induced crystallization of amorphous silicon. The phenomenon of layer inversion has been utilized in this process. Silicon wafers <100> were used as the starting crystalline structure for the grown films. After the wafer is cleaned a thin layer of aluminum (300 nm) was deposited by sputtering. This deposition was followed by 300 nm film of amorphous silicon deposited using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. After annealing the samples for 40 minutes at 525 °C, a continuous film of silicon was formed on the silicon substrate. X-ray diffraction spectrum indicated that this film has the same orientation as that of the substrate. Scanning electron microscopy cross section images showed indistinguishable interface between the substrate and the crystallized film. Cross sectional transmission electron microscopy studies of the crystallized structure showed epitaxial nature of the films.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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