The role of hydrogen in the formation of microcrystalline silicon

The growth mechanisms of microcrystalline silicon thin films at low temperatures (100-250°C) by plasma CVD are still a matter of debate. We have shown that ue-Si:H formation proceeds through four phases (incubation, nucleation, growth and steady state) and that hydrogen plays a key role in this proc...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fontcuberta i Morral, A., Bertomeu i Balagueró, Joan, Roca i Cabarrocas, P. (Pere)
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2000
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/98754
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/98754
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Silici
Hidrogen
Temperatures baixes
Pel·lícules fines
Silicon
Hydrogen
Low temperatures
Thin films
Descripción
Sumario:The growth mechanisms of microcrystalline silicon thin films at low temperatures (100-250°C) by plasma CVD are still a matter of debate. We have shown that ue-Si:H formation proceeds through four phases (incubation, nucleation, growth and steady state) and that hydrogen plays a key role in this process, particularly during the incubation phase in which hydrogen modifies the amorphous silicon network and forms a highly porous phase where nucleation takes place. In this study we combine in-situ ellipsometry and dark conductivity measurements with ex-situ high resolution transmission electron microscopy to improve our understanding of microcrystalline silicon formation.