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Deposition of High Quality Amorphous Silicon by a New “Hot Wire” CVD Technique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Scott Morrison
Affiliation:
MVSystems Inc., 327 Lamb Lane, Golden, Colorado 80401, or 17301 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 305, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Ken Coates
Affiliation:
MVSystems Inc., 327 Lamb Lane, Golden, Colorado 80401, or 17301 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 305, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Jianping Xi
Affiliation:
MVSystems Inc., 327 Lamb Lane, Golden, Colorado 80401, or 17301 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 305, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Arun Madan
Affiliation:
MVSystems Inc., 327 Lamb Lane, Golden, Colorado 80401, or 17301 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 305, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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Abstract

For the “Hot Wire” chemical vapor deposition technique (HWCVD) method to be applicable for photovoltaic applications, certain critical technical issues need to be addressed and resolved such as: lifetime of the filaments, reproducibility, large area demonstration of the material and stable devices. We have developed a new approach (patent applied for) which addresses some of these problems, specifically longevity of the filaments and reproducibility of the materials produced. The new filament material used has so far shown no appreciable degradation even after deposition of >200 μm of amorphous silicon (a-Si). We report that this can produce “state-ofthe-art” a-Si with a dark conductivity of <10-10 (Ohm*cm)-1 and photoconductivity of >10-5 (Ohm*cm)-1 this material can also be doped p- or n-type. We also provide data using XRD as well as the Raman spectra. These materials have been incorporated into simple Schottky barrier structures. The development of microcrystalline silicon materials is also discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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References

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