Patent ID: 6468841
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: C30B,H01L

Abstract:
A process for producing a crystalline silicon thin film, comprising the steps of:rendering at least a part of the surface of a crystalline silicon semiconductor substrate porous to convert at least a part of the surface of the crystalline silicon semiconductor substrate to a porous silicon layer; forming a catalytic metal layer on the porous silicon layer; forming an amorphous silicon thin film on the catalytic metal layer; heating the amorphous silicon thin film to monocrystallize the amorphous silicon thin film, thereby converting the amorphous silicon thin film to a crystalline silicon thin film; joining the crystalline silicon semiconductor substrate, provided with the crystalline silicon thin film, to a support substrate so that the crystalline silicon thin film faces the support substrate; and separating and removing the crystalline silicon semiconductor substrate, together with the porous silicon layer, which is the crystalline silicon semiconductor substrate in its portion converted to a porous layer, from the crystalline silicon thin film joined to the support substrate.