ABSTRACTDefects introduced in p-type silicon during RF sputter deposition of Ti-W and electron-beam evaporation of hafnium were investigated using I-V, deep level transient spectroscopy and electron-beam induced current techniques. DLTS measurements indicate the presence of several deposition and evaporation induced defect states. H(0.35) at EV + .35 eV and H(0.38) were the most prominent defects. Minority carrier diffusion length results taken after annealing showed that in the case of the Hf contacts the damage was annealed out while in the case of Ti-W it was not. These differences in carrier recombination are traced to the concentration of H(0.35). Sputtering or evaporation induced damage also increased the barrier height. This observed increase was modeled assuming the introduction of donor-like defects.