Is light-induced degradation of a-Si:H/c-Si interfaces reversible?

0432338 - FZÚ 2015 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
El Mhamdi, E.M. - Holovský, Jakub - Demaurex, B. - Ballif, C. - De Wolf, S.
Is light-induced degradation of a-Si:H/c-Si interfaces reversible?
Applied Physics Letters. Roč. 104, č. 25 (2014), "252108-1"-"252108-4". ISSN 0003-6951. E-ISSN 1077-3118
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : hydrogenated amorphous silicon * different panels
Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism
Impact factor: 3.302, year: 2014

Thin hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films deposited on crystalline silicon (c-Si) surfaces are sensitive probes for the bulk electronic properties of a-Si:H. Here, we use such samples during repeated low-temperature annealing and visible-light soaking to investigate the long-term stability of a-Si:H films. We observe that during annealing the electronic improvement of the interfaces follows stretched exponentials as long as hydrogen evolution in the films can be detected. Once such evolution is no longer observed, the electronic improvement occurs much faster. Based on these findings, we discuss how the reversibility of light-induced defects depends on (the lack of observable) hydrogen evolution.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0236730