Recombination and Electronic Transport in Low-Gap a-Si,Ge:H,F Alloys

Abstract

AbstractWe have studied the temperature and intensity dependence (130K to 300K) of photo- and dark conductivity in a series of low-gap a-Si,Ge:H,F alloys (Eopt=1.25 to 1.33 eV) prepared under different deposition conditions. Electron time of flight experiments were conducted between 300K and 400K. Results reveal an increase in the slope of the exponential conduction band tail to ∼ 50 meV and a peak in electron trapping states at 0.3 to 0.4 eV below the conduction band edge, leading to a transition from extended to hopping conduction by electrons at slightly below room temperature. The alloys have midgap defect densities in the low 1017 cm−3eV−1 range.