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Identification of Possible Bonding Sites for Post Deposition Oxygen Absorption in Microcrystalline Silicon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

L. M. Gedvilas
Affiliation:
NREL, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401
A. H. Mahan
Affiliation:
NREL, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401
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Abstract

Using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, the nature of the grain boundaries in twom c-Si films deposited by hot wire CVD, displaying similar crystalline volume fractionsbut very different behavior upon exposure to atmospheric contaminants, is analyzed. For the film exhibiting significant post deposition oxidation, the IR spectrum in the 2100 cm−1 Si-H stretch mode region contains two sharp and very narrow peaks, suggesting that the crystallites have been incorporated into them c-Si films with their hydrogenated surfaces relatively intact.By comparing these peak frequencies to those in the literature for Si-H bonding on c-Si surfaces, we identify certain crystallite orientations which, when comprising the c-Si grain boundaries, are particularly susceptible to oxidation. We further suggest that the distribution of H in this grain boundary/crystallite surface region is crucial for depositing c-Si films with good electronic properties and minimal post deposition oxidation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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