An Infrared and Luminescence Study of Tritiated Amorphous Silicon

Abstract

ABSTRACTTritium, has been incorporated into amorphous silicon. Infrared spectroscopy shows new infrared vibration modes due to silicon-tritium (Si-T) bonds in the amorphous silicon network. Si-T vibration frequencies are related to Si-H vibration frequencies by simple mass relationships. Inelastic collisions of β particles, produced as a result of tritium decay, with the amorphous silicon network results in the generation of electron-hob pairs. Radiative recombination of these carriers is observed. Dangling bonds associated with the tritium decay reduce luminescence efficiency.