Fabrication of Polycrystalline Si1−xGex Films on Oxide for Thin-Film Transistors

Abstract

ABSTRACTPolycrystalline-Si1−xGex films have been formed by various methods on oxide-coated Si substrates at temperatures ≤600°C. Compared to thermal growth, plasma deposition of poly-Si1−xGex promotes smoother films with smaller grains having a {200}-dominated texture. Poly-Si1−xGex Alms formed by plasma deposition of amorphous-Si1-xGex followed by a crystallization anneal have an even smoother surface with grain sizes enhanced by an order of magnitude and a weak {111} grain texture. Hydrogen incorporated in amorphous-Si1−xGex evolves completely during crystallization without disrupting the smooth surface morphology. The largest grain sizes (∶1.3μm) are achieved in poly-Si1−xGex films formed by Si+ ion implantation for amorphization with a subsequent recrystallization anneal.