Patent ID: 7220609
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: C23C,H01L,H01S,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising clusters and/or nanocrystals of silicon which are present in distributed form in a matrix of a silicon compound, comprising the steps of: depositing a layer of a thermally non-stable silicon compound having a layer thickness in the range from substantially 1 nm to substantially 7 nm on a support; and thermally treating the layer at a temperature sufficient to carry out a phase separation to obtain the clusters or nanocrystals of silicon in a matrix of thermally stable silicon compound, wherein the size and size distribution of the clusters and/or nanocrystals of silicon as well as their density in said layer of silicon compound and the mean spacing between adjacent clusters and/or nanocrystals of silicon is controlled by adjusting the thickness and composition of said layer of silicon compound and wherein the clusters and/or nanocrystals are substantially coplanar and the thickness of said layer of silicon compound being such that said size distribution has a mean value of less than the layer thickness and a maximum deviation of 0.5 nm.