Perimeter crystallization of amorphous silicon around a germanium seed

An a-Si crystallization phenomenon that originates from the perimeter of a germanium seed during anneal at 500°C is reported. The perimeter crystallization is reasonably uniform and reaches 500 nm after a 60 h anneal at 500°C. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the crystallized material is...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hakim, M. M. A (Author), Matko, I. (Author), Chenevier, B. (Author), Ashburn, P. (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2006-07.
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Summary:An a-Si crystallization phenomenon that originates from the perimeter of a germanium seed during anneal at 500°C is reported. The perimeter crystallization is reasonably uniform and reaches 500 nm after a 60 h anneal at 500°C. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the crystallized material is polycrystalline and made up of grains with various orientations. In contrast, a 60 h anneal at 550°C gives increased a-Si crystallization beneath the entire germanium seed, as reported previously. This perimeter crystallization phenomenon is advantageous because it allows a-Si crystallization to be achieved at a lower thermal budget.