Fabrication of (1 1 1)-oriented Si layers on SiO 2 substrates by an aluminum-induced crystallization method and subsequent growth of semiconducting BaSi 2 layers for photovoltaic application

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We have prepared (1 1 1)-oriented Si layers on SiO 2 (fused silica) substrates from amorphous-Si(a-Si)/Al or Al/a-Si stacked layers using an aluminum-induced crystallization (AIC) method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) intensity from the (1 1 1) planes of Si was found to depend significantly on growth conditions such as the thicknesses of Si and Al, deposition order (a-Si/Al or Al/a-Si on SiO 2), deposition technique (sputtering or vacuum evaporation) and exposure time of the Al layer to air before the deposition of Si. The crystal orientation of the Si layers was confirmed by θ−2 θ, 2 θ XRD and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The photoresponse properties of semiconducting BaSi 2 films formed on the (1 1 1)-oriented Si layers by the AIC method were measured at room temperature. Photocurrents were clearly observed for photon energies greater than 1.25 eV. The external quantum efficiencies of the BaSi 2 were also evaluated.