Patent ID: 6440824
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of crystallizing a semiconductor thin film, comprising the steps of:shaping laser light emitted from a laser light source, thereby defining a laser beam having a predetermined intensity distribution in a predetermined irradiation region; and repeatedly irradiating the semiconductor thin film formed over a substrate beforehand, with the laser beam while scanning the film so that irradiation regions overlap; wherein said laser beam is shaped so that a sectional intensity distribution of said laser beam in the predetermined irradiation region as taken in a direction of the scanning is convex, and that a peak of the intensity distribution lies at a position which is between a front end and a rear end of said irradiation region in relation to the scanning direction and which is nearer to the front end with respect to the middle of said irradiation region; and wherein said laser beam is shaped so that an intensity at said front end of said irradiation region is lower in a range within 30%, as compared with an intensity of the peak.