Hydrogen Dynamics and Tee Distribution of H Sites in Undoped a-Si:H and a-Ge:H

ABSTRACTSecondary ion mass spectrometry and IR studies of long-range hydrogen motion in undoped a-Si:H and a-Ge:H of varying H content and microstructure are reviewed and discussed. In particular, their relation to the multiple trapping (MT) model, the role of microvoids, the significance of the Meyer-Neldel relation (MNR), and the nature of H sites is addressed. It is suggested that while the MT mechanism may be significant in a-Si:H of low H content Cfj, it is largely marginal in films where CH ≥ 10 at.% H and in a-Ge:H. Mono Si-H bonds on microvoid surfaces are apparently deep H trapping sites up to ∼ 400°C, but H is desorbed from such sites in a-Ge:H above 180°C. The MNR between the diffusional activation energy and prefactor is observed among the various a-Si:H and a-Ge:H, but its significance is questionable, and may be due to the MT mechanism only in low H content a-Si:H. The nature of the distribution of H sites is also discussed.