Patent ID: 7960645
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate, comprising, in sequence: (a) providing a germanium substrate; (b) forming an emitter in the germanium substrate; (c) forming a passivation layer of an amorphous silicon material on a surface of the emitter, whereby the surface of the emitter is passivated; (d) forming a contact layer on the passivation layer, wherein the contact layer comprises a first metal layer, the first metal layer comprising at least one of palladium and copper; and (e) heating the substrate and the layers, whereby metal particles derived from the first metal layer diffuse through the passivation layer to yield a metal-diffused amorphous silicon passivation layer, the diffused metal particles providing a conductive path between the contact layer and the emitter, wherein the contact layer is atop the metal-diffused amorphous silicon passivation layer, and wherein the metal-diffused amorphous silicon passivation layer is atop the emitter.