Bonding and Release of Hydrogen in a-Si:C:H Alloys

Abstract

AbstractHydrogen evolution and infrared absorption studies of a-Si:C:H films prepared from mixtures of hydrocarbon (CH4' C2H6' C2H4) and silane gases (SiH4 'Si2H6)by the glow-discharge process show that both the absolute hydrogen content and the hydrogen bonding is uniquely determined by the carbon content. Up to a carbon concentration of ∼45 % the widening of the optical gap is mainly due to an increase of the hydrogen content. For a hydrogen density NH > 1- 2x1022cm-3 the incorporated hydrogen atoms lead to the formation of voids, resulting in thermal instability of the bonded hydrogen and in a deterioration of the electronic quality of the amorphous material.