Temperature stability of ZnO:Al film properties for poly-Si thin-film devices

The crystallization of thin silicon films at temperatures between 425 and 600 degrees C was investigated on glass substrates coated with Al-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al). Bare ZnO:Al layers degrade at the crystallization temperatures used. A silicon layer on top, however, efficiently prevents deterioration. The resistivity was even found to drop from 4.3x10(-4) Omega cm for the as deposited ZnO:Al to 2.2x10(-4) Omega cm in the case of aluminium induced crystallization and to 3.4x10(-4) Omega cm for solid phase crystallization. The temperature-stable conductivity of ZnO:Al films coated with Si opens up appealing options for the production of polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells with transparent front contacts. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.