Enhanced crystal nucleation in a-Si on SiO2 by local Ge doping

T. Sadoh, K. Nagatomo, I. Tsunoda, A. Kenjo, T. Enokida, M. Miyao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of local Ge doping on the crystal nucleation in the solid-phase crystallization (SPC) of a-Si films on SiO2 films were investigated. Three types of sample structures, (a) a-Si/a-Ge/a-Si/SiO2, (b) a-Si/a-Ge/SiO2, and (c) SiO2/a-Ge/a-Si/SiO2, were prepared and annealed at 600 °C. For the structure (a) with a thin (∼5 nm) Ge film, Ge atoms completely diffused into a-Si films, and SPC was not enhanced. On the other hand, for the structure (a) with Ge films thicker than 10 nm, Ge atoms were localized at the initial position. Such abnormal retardation of Ge diffusion was remarkable for the structures (b) and (c) even for samples with thin Ge films. For samples with Ge localization, significant enhancement of SPC of a-Si was observed. These results indicated that crystal nucleation was initiated in the localized Ge films, and then propagated into a-Si films. The local Ge doping at a-Si/SiO2 interfaces can be employed to selectively induce the nucleation at the interfaces.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)99-102
Number of pages4
JournalThin Solid Films
Volume464-465
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

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