Effect of post-annealing in oxygen atmosphere on the photoluminescence properties of nc-Si rich SiO 2 films
Abstract
In this study, Si-rich silicon oxide (SiO 1.56) films are fabricated by reactive sputtering and subsequently annealed at high temperature in N 2 or Ar atmosphere. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman spectrum confirms the formation of silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si). After the first step annealing process, oxygen is introduced as a post-annealing atmosphere. It has been observed that the photoluminescence properties of the films change dramatically due to the post-annealing, and the variation differs depending on the first-step annealing atmosphere. The mechanism of this phenomenon has been discussed and it has been concluded that the post-annealing mainly serves as both a passivation and an oxidation process at the nanocrystal interface. Oxygen is considered to be a more stable passivating atmosphere for SiO x films annealed in N 2 at high temperatures instead of H 2.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Crystal Growth
- Pub Date:
- April 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2005.12.014
- Bibcode:
- 2006JCrGr.289..564B
- Keywords:
-
- 68.35.Dv;
- 78.55.-m;
- 81.15.Cd;
- Composition segregation;
- defects and impurities;
- Photoluminescence properties and materials;
- Deposition by sputtering