Measurements of Si-H in Amorphous Silicon Films
To improve the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar batteries, passivation of the front and back surfaces is important in order to control recombination of the carriers generated. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometers (FTIR) are effective at evaluating Si-H in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), a material used for these passivation films.
This report introduces the results of measuring the Si-H peak in hydrogenated amorphous silicon films.
The measurements were performed with the transmission method, as well as the ATR method using a single reflection ATR accessory (MIRacle Ge prism).
The samples were hydrogenated amorphous silicon films with different thickness (11 nm, 22 nm, 45 nm, and 90 nm), formed on silicon substrates.
Fig. 1 shows the measurement results with the transmission method. Slight absorption is confirmed in the vicinity of 2,000 cm-1.
Fig. 2 shows an expanded view in the vicinity of 2,000 cm-1, obtained after baseline correction.
Absorption caused by Si-H is confirmed in the vicinity of 2,000 cm-1.
The gentler slopes on the high wavelength side of the peaks are due to the absorption caused by Si-H2 in the vicinity of 2,100 cm-1.
Fig. 1: Spectra of a-Si:H on Silicon Substrates Measured Using the Transmission Method
Fig. 2: Spectra of a-Si:H Measured Using the Transmission Method
Next, the same samples were measured using the single reflection ATR accessory.
Fig. 3 shows the data obtained after baseline correction, shown with the same vertical axis scale as in Fig. 2.
In comparison to the transmission method, high-sensitivity measurements were possible with more than twice the intensity, showing that this method is effective for measuring films with thickness of approximately 10 nm.
Fig. 3: Spectra of a-Si:H Measured by Single Reflection ATR Method
Measurement conditions
Instrument: IRAffinity-1
Resolution: 4 cm-1
Integration: 40
Purge gas: Dried air
Samples were supplied by Shinsuke Miyajima, Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Electronics, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Single Reflection ATR Accessory (MIRacle)
The sample is placed in contact with a prism with a diameter of approximately 2 mm. Liquid samples can be measured by placing a drop of the sample on the prism. Measure plastics, fibers, films, powders and other solid samples by pressing them against the surface of the prism.