Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.486, 142-147, 2018
Rapid crystallization of amorphous silicon films utilizing Ar-H-2 mesoplasma annealing
A rapid and low temperature crystallization of amorphous silicon (a-Si) films by Ar-H-2 mesoplasma annealing is demonstrated. The high thermal kinetic energy of mesoplasma leads to the fast crystallization process and a nanocrystalline Si film with a high crystalline fraction can be obtained within a few seconds at a temperature less than 600 degrees C. The atomic H in mesoplasma environment with a high number density enhances the crystallization process through an H diffusion-induced chemical annealing apart from the thermal effect. The recrystallization process of a-Si film by mesoplasma annealing is demonstrated. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.