Poly-Silicon Thin Films Prepared by Low Temperature Aluminum-Induced Crystallization

P-type poly-Si thin films prepared by low temperature Aluminum-induced crystallization and doping are reported. The starting material was boron-doped a-Si:H prepared by PECVD on glass substrates. Aluminum layers with different thicknessess were evaporated on a-Si:H surface and conventional thermal annealing was performed at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550°C. XRD, SIMS, TEM and Hall effect measurements were carried out to characterize the annealed films. Results show that a-Si:H contacted with adequate Al could be crystallized at temperature as low as 300°C after annealing for 60 minutes. This material has high carrier concentration as well as high Hall mobility can be used as a p-layer or seed layer for thin film poly-Si solar cells. The technique reported here is compatible with PECVD process.