Polycrystalline Thin Films Volume 403

This interdisciplinary book brings together researchers from a wide range of scientific fields to offer insights into the nature of polycrystalline thin films. These films have properties that are different from those of a bulk polycrystal and from those of a single crystal film. In particular, the volume focuses on film deposition and processing techniques which allow the fabrication of films with innovative microstructures and technologically relevant properties. The work presented ranges from theoretical studies to technological applications. Topics include: microstructural evolution; interfaces and mechanical properties; characterization of microstructure; hard and refractory films; polycrystalline silicon; electrical properties; optical properties; gas sensors; ferroelectric films; metallization; and magnetic and MEMS applications.

Tremendous advances have been made in the use of silicides as contacts and interconnects in micro-electronic devices and as active layers in sensors. A flourish of novel fabrication concepts and characterization techniques has led to high-quality silicide devices and a better understanding of the electronic and micrometallurgical properties of their interfaces. However, the shrinking physical dimensions of ULSI devices beyond the deep submicron regime now poses new and serious materials challenges for the development of manufacturable silicide processes. Scientists and engineers from materials science, physics, chemistry, device, processing and other disciplines come together in this book to examine the current issues facing silicide thin-film applications. Topics include: silicide fundamentals - energetics and kinetics; processing of silicide thin films; ULSI issues; CVD silicides; semiconducting silicides; processing of germano-silicide thin films; silicides and analogs for IR detection; interfaces, surfaces and epitaxy; novel structures and techniques and properties of silicide thin films.

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

Polycrystalline and Amorphous Thin Films and Devices is a compilation of papers that discusses the electronic, optical, and physical properties of thin material layers and films. This compilation reviews the different applications of thin films of various materials used as protective and optical coatings, thermal transfer layers, and selective membranes from submicron- area VLSI memory units to large-area energy conservation devices. Some papers discuss the basic properties, such as growth, structure, electrical, and optical mechanisms that are encountered in amorphous and polycrystalline thin semiconductor films. For example, experiments on electronic structure of dislocations have led to a model for the intrinsic properties of grain boundaries in polycrystalline semiconductor thin films that can have an impact on the designs of high-efficiency, thin-film solar cells. Other papers review the problems encountered in these thin layers in active semiconductor devices and passive technologies. Techniques in film growth and control variables of source, substrate temperature, and substrate properties will determine the successful performance of the devices installed with these thin film layers. This compilation can prove valuable for chemists, materials engineers, industrial technologists, and researchers in thin-film technology.

Our understanding and control of epitaxial oxide heterostructures has progressed along multiple frontiers including magnetic, dielectric, ferroelectric, and superconducting oxide materials. This has resulted in both independent rediscovery and the successful borrowing of ideas from ceramic science, solid-state physics, and semiconductor epitaxy. A new field of materials science has emerged which aims at the use of the intrinsic properties of various oxide materials in single-crystal thin-film form. Exploiting the potential of these materials, however, will only be possible if many fundamental and engineering questions can be answered. This book represents continued progress toward fulfilling that promise. Technical information on epitaxial oxide thin films from industry, academia and government laboratories is presented. Topics include: dielectrics; ferroelectrics; optics; superconductors; magnetics; magnetoresistance.

Thin films are used in virtually every manufacturing and technological area. A large fraction of these films are polycrystalline. Their uses range from critical components in the microelectronics industry, to hard coatings for wear resistance, corrosion resistance and thermal barriers, to magnetic, optical and medical applications. It is essential to the functional properties of these films that the microstructure, composition, architecture and stress state be produced with a high level of control which demands a detailed understanding of the mechanisms which are responsible for the formation of structure in polycrystalline thin films. This book focuses on thin polycrystalline metallic, ceramic and semiconducting films of thicknesses in the range of tens to thousands of nanometers. Topics range from fundamental to technological. Topics include: evolution of texture and microstructure; grain boundaries and interfaces; microstructure, stress and texture; characterization and representation; microstructure, texture and reliability; processing, characterization and application and polycrystalline Si and SiGe films.

There has been considerable progress in the development of thin-film photovoltaic devices with new efficiency records and enhanced durability. These achievements are the result of significant advances in the fundamental understanding of the materials, interfaces and devices. With 18 countries represented, this truly international volume brings together engineers and researchers from academic, industrial and national laboratories worldwide to review different materials systems and address common issues and problems. A wide variety of topics related to the development of thin-film photovoltaic and related devices, including thick-film transistors and materials for flat-panel displays, are addressed. Areas of emphasis include materials synthesis, device fabrication and characterization, and modelling. Topics include: thin-film amorphous silicon devices; thin-film silicon devices; thin-film devices based on copper-indium diselenide; cadmium-telluride devices; transparent conductive oxides and related materials for thin-film devices; and novel concepts for thin-film photovoltaics.

While the effects of spontaneous ordering or composition modulation on the properties of semiconductors and optoelectronic devices have been studied with great interest over the past several years, an understanding of the physics and chemistry of these two related phenomena is still in its infancy. This book brings together researchers from around the world to address issues concerning the physics, chemistry and growth parameters for spontaneous ordering and composition modulation. Developments in the use of artificial patterning to obtain new structured materials on a microscopic scale are featured. Advances in characterization techniques are also presented. Topics include: spontaneous ordering; self-assembled structures and quantum dots; self-organized epitaxial structures; composition modulation studies and optoelectronic materials.