Polarization-dependent laser crystallization of Se-containing amorphous chalcogenide films

Abstract

We report about the observation of influence of the light polarization on the photocrystallization process in the Se 70Ag 15I 15, elementary Se and Se 80Te 20 films. Irradiation with linearly polarized He–Ne and Ar + laser light results in the formation of polycrystalline films with strong optical anisotropy (dichroism), the sign of which is determined by the direction of the electrical vector of light. In the laser-crystallized Se 80Te 20 films we observed also the anisotropy of the photoconductivity. The results obtained indicate that the laser-induced crystallization has a nonthermal character.