Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1481733 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 2012 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

In this work we present a comparative study on the electrical characteristics of polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) and polymorphous germanium (pm-Ge:H) thin films deposited by low frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (LF-PECVD), aiming to use them as thermo sensing elements in un-cooled microbolometers.We studied the effect of the deposition pressure on the film characteristics that are important for IR detection, as the activation energy (Ea), the thermal coefficient of resistance (TCR), the room temperature conductivity (σRT) and the film responsivity with IR radiation.Our results indicate that polymorphous films have advantages over boron doped a-Si:H, material which is currently employed as thermo-sensing element in commercial microbolometer arrays.

► We reported a comparative study of polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) and germanium (pm-Ge:H). ► The films were deposited by low frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. ► The aim is to use the films as thermo-sensing elements in un-cooled microbolometers. ► Both films have advantages over boron doped a-Si:H used in commercial IR detectors.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Ceramics and Composites
Authors
, , , , , , , , ,