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The Influence of Light-Soaking and Atmospheric Adsorption on Microcrystalline Silicon Films studied by Coplanar Transient Photoconductivity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

V. Smirnov
Affiliation:
EPICentre, School of Computing and Advanced Technologies, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG, U.K.
S. Reynolds
Affiliation:
EPICentre, School of Computing and Advanced Technologies, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG, U.K.
F. Finger
Affiliation:
IPV, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
C. Main
Affiliation:
EPICentre, School of Computing and Advanced Technologies, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG, U.K.
R. Carius
Affiliation:
IPV, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
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Abstract

A study of the effects of light-soaking and atmospheric adsorption (aging) on the dark- and photo-conductivity of a series of microcrystalline silicon films of varying crystallinity is presented. Light-soaking in vacuum slightly reduces photoconductivity in films close to the amorphous – microcrystalline transition, and there is also a reduction in dark current. Aging increases the dark current, and thus unless due care is taken during light-soaking experiments to eliminate or compensate for aging, the apparent effect of light-soaking may be reduced or even reversed in sign. Transient photocurrent decays confirm the presence of a large density of metastable light-induced defects. A shift in the apparent distribution of defects occurs on prolonged aging, which may be due either to changes in the DOS or a shift in the Fermi level.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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