Selective formation of Ge(100) and (111) on amorphous-insulator at low-temperatures (∼250 °C) is realized through gold-induced-crystallization using a-Ge/Au/SiO2 stacked-structures by combining interface-energy-modulation of substrates. Introduction of thin-Al2O3 layers (∼7 nm thickness) at a-Ge/Au interfaces enables large-grain (≥20 μm) Ge(111) formation, which is speculated to be due to suppression of random bulk-nucleation and domination of (111)-oriented interface-nucleation on SiO2. To examine this speculation, Al2O3-covered substrates are employed. This results in formation of Ge(100), due to energetically favorable (100)-oriented interface-nucleation on Al2O3. Consequently, large-grain (≥20 μm) Ge(100) and (111) are achieved on amorphous-insulators at 250 °C. This technique is very useful to realize flexible-electronics.

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A formation technique of orientation-controlled large-grain (< 10 μm) Ge crystals on insulator at low temperature ({less than or equal to} 350oC) has been investigated to realize advanced flexible electronics. Previously, we proposed a gold-induced crystallization technique, and demonstrated low temperature crystallization (250oC) of Ge on insulator. In the present study, we intentionally inserted thin Al2O3 layers between gold and a-Ge layer, to control crystal nucleation. Consequently, (111)-oriented large-grain (< 20 μm) Ge crystals are obtained at 350oC by optimizing interfacial oxide layer thickness. It is speculated that this phenomena is attributed to suppression of random bulk nucleation of Ge in Au films and resultant dominance of interfacial nucleation at Ge/SiO2 interfaces.