I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to techniques for semiconductor processing, and more particularly to semiconductor processing which may be performed at low temperatures.
II. Description of the Related Art
In the field of semiconductor processing, there have been several attempts to use lasers to convert thin amorphous silicon films into polycrystalline films. For example, in James Im et al., “Crystalline Si Films for Integrated Active-Matrix Liquid-Crystal Displays,” 11 MRS Bullitin 39 (1996), an overview of conventional excimer laser annealing technology is presented. In such a system, an excimer laser beam is shaped into a long beam which is typically up to 30 cm long and 500 micrometers or greater in width. The shaped beam is scanned over a sample of amorphous silicon to facilitate melting thereof and the formation of polycrystalline silicon upon resolidification of the sample.
The use of conventional excimer laser annealing technology to generate polycrystalline silicon is problematic for several reasons. First, the polycrystalline silicon generated in the process is typically small grained, of a random microstructure, and having a nonuniform grain sizes, therefore resulting in poor and nonuniform devices and accordingly, low manufacturing yield. Second, in order to obtain acceptable performance levels, the manufacturing throughput for producing polycrystalline silicon must be kept low. Also, the process generally requires a controlled atmosphere and preheating of the amorphous silicon sample, which leads to a reduction in throughput rates. Accordingly, there exists a need in the field to generate higher quality polycrystalline silicon at greater throughput rates. There likewise exists a need for manufacturing techniques which generate larger and more uniformly microstructured polycrystalline silicon thin films to be used in the fabrication of higher quality devices, such as flat panel displays.
An object of the present invention is to provide techniques for producing uniform large-grained and grain boundary location controlled polycrystalline thin film semiconductors using the sequential lateral solidification process.
A further object of the present invention is to form large-grained and grain boundary location manipulated polycrystalline silicon over substantially the entire semiconductor sample.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide techniques for the fabrication of semiconductors devices useful for fabricating displays and other products where the predominant orientation of the semiconductor grain boundaries may be controllably aligned or misaligned with respect to the current flow direction of the device.
In order to achieve these objectives as well as others that will become apparent with reference to the following specification, the present invention provides methods for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film are disclosed. In one preferred arrangement, a method includes the steps of generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, controllably modulating each excimer laser pulse in the sequence to a predetermined fluence, homoginizing each modulated laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of slits to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of line patterned beamlets, each slit in the pattern of slits being sufficiently narrow to prevent inducement of significant nucleation in region of a silicon thin film sample irradiated by a beamlet corresponding to the slit, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of fluence controlled slit patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each fluence controlled patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating a relative position of the sample with respect to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film.
In a preferred arrangement, the masking step includes masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in said sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and linearly extending parallel to one direction of said plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. Advantageously, the translating provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets over substantially the predetermined slit spacing distance, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals.
In an especially preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits of a predetermined width, spaced a predetermined distance being less than the predetermined width apart, and linearly extending parallel to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, translating step comprises translating by a distance less than the predetermined width the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals using just two laser pulses. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined width is approximately 4 micrometers, the predetermined spacing distance is approximately 2 micrometers, and the translating distance is approximately 3 micrometers.
In an alternative preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, the translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction parallel to the one direction of the plane of homoginization over substantially the predetermined slit distance, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals that are disoriented with respect to the XY axis of the thin silicon film.
In yet another preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of intersecting straight slits, a first group of straight slits being spaced a first predetermined apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to a first direction of the plane of homoginization, and a second group of straight slits being spaced a second predetermined distance apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to a second direction of the plane of homoginization and intersecting the first group at substantially a 90 degree angle, to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. The corresponding translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction parallel to the first direction of the plane of homoginization over substantially the first predetermined slit spacing distance, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having large diamond shaped crystals.
In still another alternative arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of sawtooth shaped slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and extending generally parallel to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, the translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets over substantially the predetermined slit spacing distance, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having large hexagonal crystals.
In a modified arrangement, an alternative technique for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film using a polka-dot pattern is provided. The technique includes generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, homoginizing each laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially opaque dots to generate a sequence of pulses of dot patterned beamlets, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of dot patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each dot patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating the sample relative to each of the pulses of dot patterned beamlets by alternating a translation direction in two perpendicular axis and in a distance less than the super lateral grown distance for the sample, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this disclosure, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention.
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a dashed pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a chevron pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a line pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing irradiated areas of a silicon sample using a mask having a line pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram showing irradiated areas of a silicon sample using a mask having a line pattern after initial irradiation and sample translation has occurred;
c is an illustrative diagram showing a crystallized silicon film after a second irradiation has occurred;
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a diagonal line pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a sawtooth pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a crossing diagonal line pattern;
b is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
a is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a polka-dot pattern;
b is an instructive diagram illustrating mask translation using the mask of
c is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
d is an illustrative diagram of an alternative crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in
The present invention provides techniques for producing uniform large-grained and grain boundary location controlled polycrystalline thin film semiconductors using the sequential lateral solidification process. In order to fully understand those techniques, the sequential lateral solidification process must first be appreciated.
The sequential lateral solidification process is a technique for producing large grained silicon structures through small-scale unidirectional translation of a silicon sample in between sequential pulses emitted by an excimer laser. As each pulse is absorbed by the sample, a small area of the sample is caused to melt completely and resolidify laterally into a crystal region produced by the preceding pulses of a pulse set.
A particularly advantageous sequential lateral solidification process and an apparatus to carry out that process are disclosed in our co-pending patent application entitled “Systems and Methods using Sequential Lateral Solidification for Producing Single or Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films at Low Temperatures,” filed concurrently with the present application and assigned to the common assignee, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. While the foregoing disclosure is made with reference to the particular techniques described in our co-pending patent application, it should be understood that other sequential lateral solidification techniques could readily be adapted for use in the present invention.
With reference to
As described in further detail in our co-pending application, an amorphous silicon thin film sample is processed into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film by generating a plurality of excimer laser pulses of a predetermined fluence, controllably modulating the fluence of the excimer laser pulses, homoginizing the modulated laser pulses in a predetermined plane, masking portions of the homoginized modulated laser pulses into patterned beamlets, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to the beamlets, and controllably translating the sample with respect to the patterned beamlets and with respect to the controlled modulation to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film by sequential translation of the sample relative to the patterned beamlets and irradiation of the sample by patterned beamlets of varying fluence at corresponding sequential locations thereon. The following embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the foregoing processing technique.
Referring to
In accordance with the present invention, the sample 170 is translated with respect to the laser pulses 164, either by movement of masking system 150 or sample translation stage 180, in order to grow crystal regions in the sample 170. When the sample 170 is translated in the Y direction and mask 210 is used in masking system 150, a processed sample 250 having crystallized regions 260 is produced, as shown in
Referring next to
While the embodiments described with reference to
Referring to
When the sample 170 is translated in the Y direction and mask 410 is used in masking system 150, a processed sample 450 having crystallized regions 460 is produced, as shown in
An especially preferred technique using a mask having a pattern of lines will next be described. Using a mask as shown in
In order to eliminate the numerous small initial crystals 541 that form at the melt boundaries 530, the sample 170 is translated three micrometers in the Y direction and again irradiated with a single excimer laser pulse. The second irradiation regions 551, 552, 553 cause the remaining amorphous silicon 542 and initial crystal regions 543 of the polycrystalline silicon 540 to melt, while leaving the central section 545 of the polycrystalline silicon to remain. As shown in
Referring to
As with the embodiment described above with respect to
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
Next, the shutter is opened 1035 to expose the sample to a single pulse of irradiation and accordingly, to commence the sequential lateral solidification process. The sample is translated in the X or Y directions 1040 in an amount less than the super lateral grown distance. The shutter is again opened 1045 to expose the sample to a single pulse of irradiation, and the sample is again translated in the X or Y directions 1050 in an amount less than the super lateral growth distance. Of course, if the sample was moved in the X direction in step 1040, the sample should be moved in the Y direction in Step 1050 in order to create a polka-dot. The sample is then irradiated with a third laser pulse 1055. The process of sample translation and irradiation 1050, 1055 may be repeated 1060 to grow the polka-dot region with four or more laser pulses.
Next, if other areas on the sample have been designated for crystallization, the sample is repositioned 1065, 1066 and the crystallization process is repeated on the new area. If no further areas have been designated for crystallization, the laser is shut off 1070, the hardware is shut down 1075, and the process is completed 1080. Of course, if processing of additional samples is desired or if the present invention is utilized for batch processing, steps 1005, 1010, and 1035-1065 can be repeated on each sample.
The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. For example, the thin silicon film sample 170 could be replaced by a sample having pre-patterned islands of silicon film. Also, the line pattern mask could be used to grow polycrystalline silicon using two laser pulses as explained with reference to
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/744,493, filed May 4, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,679,028, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/141,815, filed Jun. 1, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,319,056, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/294,001, filed Nov. 13, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,996, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/390,535, filed Sep. 3, 1999, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,449, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/US96/07730, filed May 28, 1996, and which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/200,533, filed Nov. 27, 1998, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,625. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned priority applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to the terms of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency award number N66001-98-1-8913.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090173948 A1 | Jul 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11141815 | Jun 2005 | US |
Child | 11744493 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11744493 | May 2007 | US |
Child | 12402208 | US | |
Parent | 10294001 | Nov 2002 | US |
Child | 11141815 | US | |
Parent | 09390535 | Sep 1999 | US |
Child | 10294001 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US96/07730 | May 1996 | US |
Child | 09390535 | US | |
Parent | 09200533 | Nov 1998 | US |
Child | PCT/US96/07730 | US |