Reduction of Si-H₂ Bond Content in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Prepared by Mercury-Sensitized Photochemical Vapor Deposition

Abstract

The ratio of Si-H2 bonds to hydrogen content in hydrogenated amorphous silicon films, prepared by mercury-sensitized photochemical vapor deposition, depends on the deposition conditions, in particular on the distance between the substrate and the light-transparent window.The ratio is reduced from 20 % to 8 % by decreasing the distance from 30 mm to 8 mm. On the other hand, the hydrogen content remains constant at 15 at.%. Decreasing the distance has been found to be almost equivalent to increasing the light intensity, especially 254 nm-light intensity.