On the characteristics of helium filled nano-pores in amorphous silicon thin films

A joint theory—experimental study is presented of irregularly shaped nano-pores in amorphous silicon. STEM– ELLS spectra were measured for each pore. The observed helium 1s2→1s2p(1P) excitation energies were found to be shifted from that of a free atom. The relation between the helium density in the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lacroix, Bertrand, Fernández Camacho, A, Pyper, N. C., Thom, Alex J.W., Whelan, Colm T.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/377039
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/377039
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85209399310
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Confined helium
Magnetron sputtering
STEM-ELLS
Thin films
Descripción
Sumario:A joint theory—experimental study is presented of irregularly shaped nano-pores in amorphous silicon. STEM– ELLS spectra were measured for each pore. The observed helium 1s2→1s2p(1P) excitation energies were found to be shifted from that of a free atom. The relation between the helium density in the pore and these energy shifts is explored and shown to be completely consistent with earlier studies of helium in its bulk condensed phases as well as encapsulated as bubbles in solid silicon. The density, pressure and depth of the pores, all key properties for applications, were determined. An alternative and novel method for determining the depth of the pores more accurately is presented.