Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Structural, Vibrational and Electronic Properties of Amorphous Silicon

Abstract

ABSTRACTAmorphous silicon models have been computer-generated by melt-quenching and film deposition molecular dynamics simulations, employing classical interatomic Si-potentials. The structural, vibrational and electronic properties of these models is described. Dangling-bond gap states are well localized whereas, floating bonds gap states are considerably less localized with wavefunction amplitudes on the neighbors of the five-coordinated atom. In contrast to melt-quenched models, the a-Si films displayed voids, a 15–28% lower density than c-Si, and no five- coordinated atoms. A-Si:H models with 5 and 22% hydrogen, and both monohydride and dihydride species, have also been developed.