Metal induced crystallization of amorphous silicon thin films studied by x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

The role of thin metallic layer (Chromium or Nickel) in the crystallization of a-Si film has been studied using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS). The films were grown at different substrate temperatures in two different geometrical structures : (a) a 200 nm metal layer (Cr or Ni) was deposited on fused silica (FS) followed by 400 nm of a-Si and (b) the 400 nm a-Si layer was deposited on FS followed by 200 nm of metal layer. XAFS measurements at Cr K-edge and Ni K-edge were done at BM08 - GILDA beamline of the European Synchrotron Research Facility (ESRF, Grenoble, F) in fluorescence mode. To understand the evolution of the local structure of Cr/Ni diffusing from bottom to top and from top to bottom, total reflection and higher incidence angles were employed. The relative content of metal, metal oxide and metal silicides compounds on the upper surface and/or in the bulk of different films has been evaluated as a function of thermal treatment.