Diffusion of chromium in thin hydrogenated amorphous silicon films

Abstract

The diffusion of a chromium bottom contact has been studied through thin 10-nm amorphous silicon film. The concentration of the diffused impurity has been analyzed by an X-ray photon spectroscopy technique and the diffusion coefficient was estimated. Diffusion annealing was carried out in vacuum (10−6 mTorr), the temperature was kept at 400°C, and the annealing time was varied from 0 to 300 min. The authors propose that diffusion of chromium in thin hydrogenated amorphous film is limited by silicide formation at the metal-silicon interface.