Display device and manufacturing method thereof

An embodiment provides a manufacturing method of a polycrystalline silicon layer, including: forming a first amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; doping an N-type impurity into the first amorphous silicon layer; forming a second amorphous silicon layer on the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer; doping a P-type impurity into the second amorphous silicon layer; and crystalizing the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer by irradiating a laser beam onto n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer to form a polycrystalline silicon layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and benefits of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0114711, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon layer, a display device including a polycrystalline silicon layer manufactured thereby, and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon layer having excellent device characteristics and reduced defects, a display device including the polycrystalline silicon layer manufactured thereby, and a method of manufacturing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Among display devices, a flat panel display is in the spotlight because it can be lighter and thinner. Among flat panel displays, an electroluminescent display is a self-luminous display that displays an image using a light emitting diode that emits light, and does not require a separate light source. In addition, the electroluminescent display is attracting attention as a next-generation display device because it has low power consumption, a high luminance, and a high reaction speed.

The electroluminescent display described above includes a circuit for driving a light emitting diode in a pixel that includes a plurality of transistors and at least one capacitor.

As a thin film transistor used in such a circuit, a polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor having excellent electron mobility may be used. The polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor has higher electron mobility than an amorphous silicon thin film transistor, and has excellent stability against light irradiation. Accordingly, the polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor may be suitable for use as an active layer of a driving transistor and/or switching transistor of an emissive display device.

Since a characteristic of the polycrystalline silicon layer determines characteristics of a transistor and a display device including the same, manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon layer having excellent characteristics and having few surface defects to improve device characteristics has become an important task in a display field.

SUMMARY

Embodiments have been made in an effort to provide a method of manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon layer capable of reducing circular spots while obtaining excellent device characteristics, a display device including a polycrystalline silicon layer manufactured thereby, and a method of manufacturing the same.

An embodiment provides a manufacturing method of a polycrystalline silicon layer, including: forming a first amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; doping an N-type impurity into the first amorphous silicon layer; forming a second amorphous silicon layer on the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer; doping a P-type impurity into the second amorphous silicon layer; and crystalizing the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer by irradiating a laser beam onto the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer to form a polycrystalline silicon layer.

The method further including cleaning the substrate before the crystalizing the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer. The cleaning of the substrate may include cleaning the substrate with hydrofluoric acid, and rinsing the substrate with deionized water.

A thickness of the first amorphous silicon layer may be 150 Å or more and 250 Å or less.

A thickness of the second amorphous silicon layer may be 150 Å or more and 250 Å or less.

The doping of the N-type impurity may proceed with an acceleration voltage of more than 0 and 20 keV or less and a dose of 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

The doping of the P-type impurity may proceed with an acceleration voltage of more than 0 and 20 keV or less and a dose of 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

A contact angle with respect to water measured on a surface of the amorphous silicon layer may be less than 20 degrees after the cleaning of the amorphous silicon layer with hydrofluoric acid.

An embodiment provides a display device including: a substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a display element disposed on the thin film transistor, wherein the thin film transistor may include an active pattern disposed on the substrate, the active pattern including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region; a gate insulating layer disposed on the active pattern; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer in a region corresponding to the channel region, and the channel region includes an N-type impurity and a P-type impurity.

Concentration of the P-type impurity may increase as the channel region approaches the gate insulating layer.

Concentration of the N-type impurity may increase as a distance from the gate insulating layer increases.

The P-type impurity may be any one of boron (B) and fluorine (F).

The N-type impurity may be phosphorus (P).

A thickness of the active pattern may be 300 Å or more and 500 Å or less.

Concentration of the P-type impurity in the channel region may be 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

Concentration of the N-type impurity in the channel region may be 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

Concentration of the P-type impurity and concentration of the N-type impurity within the channel region may be substantially the same.

The thin film transistor may further include a source electrode and a drain electrode that are electrically connected to the source region and the drain region, respectively.

The display element may include: a first electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor; an emission layer disposed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the emission layer.

An embodiment provides a manufacturing method of a display device, including: forming a first amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; doping an N-type impurity into the first amorphous silicon layer; forming a second amorphous silicon layer on the first amorphous silicon layer; doping a P-type impurity into the second amorphous silicon layer; crystalizing the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer by irradiating a laser beam onto the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous to form a polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a polycrystalline silicon pattern by patterning the polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a gate insulating layer on the polycrystalline silicon pattern; forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer; forming a source region, a drain region, and a channel region by doping the source region and the drain region; and forming a display element on the gate electrode.

The method may further include cleaning the substrate before the crystalizing the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer and the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer. The cleaning of the substrate may include: cleaning the substrate with hydrofluoric acid; and rinsing the substrate with deionized water.

The doping of the N-type impurity may proceed with an acceleration voltage of more than 0 and 20 keV or less and a dose of 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

The doping of the P-type impurity may proceed with an acceleration voltage of more than 0 and 20 keV or less and a dose of 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

A contact angle with respect to water measured on a surface of the amorphous silicon layer may be less than 20 degrees after the washing of the amorphous silicon layer with hydrofluoric acid.

The forming the source region, the drain region, and the channel region by doping the source region and the drain region may be performed by an ion implantation using the gate electrode as a mask.

The display device may further include forming a source electrode and a drain electrode that are respectively electrically connected to the source region and the drain region on the gate electrode.

The forming of the display element may include: forming a first electrode electrically connected to the active pattern on the gate electrode; forming an emission layer on the first electrode; and forming a second electrode on the emission layer.

According to the embodiments, excellent device characteristics may be obtained by reducing protrusions on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer, and the polycrystalline silicon layer with reduced circular spots and the display device including the same may be obtained.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To clearly describe the present inventive concept, parts that are irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like numerals refer to like or similar constituent elements throughout the specification.

Further, since sizes and thicknesses of constituent members shown in the accompanying drawings are arbitrarily given for better understanding and ease of description, the present inventive concept is not limited to the illustrated sizes and thicknesses. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, for better understanding and ease of description, the thicknesses of some layers and areas are exaggerated.

Further, in the specification, the phrase “in a plan view” means when an object portion is viewed from above, and the phrase “in a cross-sectional view” means when a cross-section taken by vertically cutting an object portion is viewed from the side.

Hereinafter, a manufacturing method of a polycrystalline silicon layer according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.8.

FIG.1illustrates a manufacturing method of a polycrystalline silicon layer according to an embodiment.FIG.2toFIG.8illustrate a manufacturing method of a polycrystalline silicon layer according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a buffer layer120and a first amorphous silicon layer132amay be sequentially formed on a substrate110(S100).

The substrate110may be an insulating substrate including glass, quartz, ceramic, or the like. According to an embodiment, the substrate110may include at least one of polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, triacetate cellulose, and cellulose acetate propionate. The substrate110may include a flexible material that can be bent or folded, and may be a single layer or multiple layers. A single or multi-layered barrier layer (not illustrated) may be further included on the substrate110, and the barrier layer may include, e.g., an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon nitride (SiNx), a silicon oxide (SiOx), or a silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy).

A buffer layer120may be disposed on the substrate110. The buffer layer120may provide a flat surface to an upper portion of the substrate110and prevent impurities from penetrating through the substrate110. In the drawing, the buffer layer120is illustrated as a single layer, but may be multiple layers according to an embodiment. The buffer layer120may be formed to include an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material. For example, the buffer layer120may include an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon oxide (SiOx), a silicon nitride (SiNx), and a silicon oxinitride (SiOxNy).

The first amorphous silicon layer132amay be disposed on the buffer layer120. The first amorphous silicon layer132amay be formed by a method such as low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), sputtering, vacuum deposition, or the like. In this case, the first amorphous silicon layer132amay be formed to have a thickness of 150 Å to 250 Å.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.3, the first amorphous silicon layer132amay be doped with an N-type impurity D1to form an n-doped first amorphous silicon layer (S200).

Various methods of doping the N-type impurity D1may be applied, but an ion implantation method may be used as an embodiment. When the ion implantation method is used, the N-type impurity D1which is in an ionic state is accelerated to be implanted into the first amorphous silicon layer132a. In the present embodiment, an acceleration voltage for accelerating the N-type impurity D1may be greater than 0 keV and less than 20 keV. In addition, in this case, a dose of the N-type impurity D1may be 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.4, a second amorphous silicon layer132bmay be disposed on the n-doped first amorphous silicon132a(S300).

The second amorphous silicon layer132bis disposed on the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer132a. Similarly to the first amorphous silicon layer132a, the second amorphous silicon layer132bmay be formed by a method such as low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), sputtering, vacuum deposition, or the like. In this case, the second amorphous silicon layer132bmay be formed to have a thickness of 150 Å to 250 Å.

Because the second amorphous silicon layer132bis formed by using a same material and a same method as those of the first amorphous silicon layer132a, a boundary between the first amorphous silicon layer132aand the second amorphous silicon layer132bmay not be seen clearly. The first amorphous silicon layer132aand the second amorphous silicon layer132bmay be formed as much like a single layer without having a boundary between them.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.5, the second amorphous silicon layer132bmay be doped with a P-type impurity D2to form p-doped second amorphous silicon layer132b(S400).

Various methods of doping the P-type impurity D2may be applied, but an ion implantation method may be used as an embodiment. When the ion implantation method is used, the P-type impurity D2which is in an ionic state is accelerated to be implanted into the second amorphous silicon layer132b. In the present embodiment, an acceleration voltage for accelerating the P-type impurity D2may be greater than 0 keV and less than 20 keV. In addition, in this case, a dose of the P-type impurity D2may be 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less. When it is less than 1e14 atom/cm2, the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132may not be sufficiently hydrophilized, and when it is more than 1e16 atom/cm2, it is not preferable because it may deteriorate the device characteristics of a transistor manufactured by using it.

The amorphous silicon layer132may be completed by doping the P-type impurity D2. The p-doped amorphous silicon layer132may have a hydrophilic surface. Particularly, a surface of the amorphous silicon layer132maintains hydrophilicity by the p-doped amorphous silicon layer132even after washing with hydrofluoric acid210to be described later, and occurrence of circular spots may be prevented in a subsequent washing and rinsing process.

In addition, since the N-type impurity D1is contained in the first amorphous silicon layer132a, even when the polycrystalline silicon layer manufactured according to the present embodiment is applied to a transistor device, the characteristics of the device may not be affected.

Particularly, in this case, since the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer132bare formed separately on the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer132a, only the P-type impurity D2may be present near the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132.

When the doped N-type impurity D1is disposed near the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132, the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132may have a hydrophobic characteristic and water droplets may be formed on a surface of the amorphous silicon layer132after washing, which may cause circular spots. However, as in the present embodiment, the N-type impurity may be prevented from being present near the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132by separately forming the second amorphous silicon layer132band doping the P-type impurity into the second amorphous silicon layer132bafter forming the n-doped first amorphous silicon layer132a.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.6, the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132may be cleaned with hydrofluoric acid210(S500).

A natural oxide film may be formed on a surface of the amorphous silicon layer132due to a reaction between exposed silicon in the amorphous silicon layer132and oxygen in the atmosphere. When a natural oxide film remains on the amorphous silicon layer132, since protrusions having a relatively large thickness may be formed on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer by the natural oxide film in a crystallization step, it is necessary to remove them.

To this end, the amorphous silicon layer132may be cleaned by using the hydrofluoric acid210. The hydrofluoric acid210may be an aqueous solution in which hydrogen fluoride (HF) is dissolved. For example, the hydrofluoric acid210may contain about 0.5% of hydrogen fluoride. The natural oxide film formed on the amorphous silicon layer132may be removed by cleaning the amorphous silicon layer132with the hydrofluoric acid210.

In an embodiment, the amorphous silicon layer132may be cleaned with the hydrofluoric acid210for about 40 seconds to about 70 seconds. When the amorphous silicon layer132is cleaned for less than about 40 second, the natural oxide film (NOL) formed on the amorphous silicon layer132may not be completely removed. In addition, when the amorphous silicon layer132is cleaned for longer than about 70 second, the amorphous silicon layer132may be damaged by the hydrofluoric acid210.

The surface of the amorphous silicon layer132cleaned by the hydrofluoric acid210to have no native oxide on it generally has a hydrophobic characteristic. Water droplets with cohesive force are relatively easily formed on the hydrophobic surface, and the portion of the amorphous silicon layer132on which water droplets have formed may be easily oxidized by O2or —OH groups in a rinsing process described later, and after crystallization, circular spots may be formed on a poly silicon layer in areas where the water droplets were. Such a circular water mark may cause pixel defects when applied to a display device. However, in an embodiment, the P-type impurity D2is present near the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132by doping it with the P-type impurity D2as in step S400above, and thus the surface retains its hydrophilic characteristic even after cleaning it with hydrofluoric acid210. When a contact angle of the surface to water is measured, it may be less than 20 degrees. In other words, the larger the contact angle, the easier it is for water droplets to be formed on the surface to form circular spots in a subsequent process. In the present embodiment, the surface becomes hydrophilic even after washing it with the hydrofluoric acid210due to the p-doped second amorphous silicon layer132b, so that the contact angle with water may be less than 20 degrees. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of circular spots.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.7, the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132may be rinsed with deionized water220(S600).

For example, the substrate110is moved under a fixed spray230, and the deionized water220may be supplied to the amorphous silicon layer132through the spray230. The hydrofluoric acid210remaining on the amorphous silicon layer132may be removed by rinsing the amorphous silicon layer132with the deionized water220.

In particular, in an embodiment, even when the amorphous silicon layer132is rinsed using deionized water to which hydrogen is not added, circular defects caused by oxygen after the crystallization step may be prevented. That is, since the P-type impurity D2exists near the surface of the amorphous silicon layer132, the hydrophilic characteristics of the surface are maintained even after washing it with the hydrofluoric acid210, and thus, since water droplets are not formed on the surface, even when oxygen in the deionized water remains and exists, oxidation may not result in a remaining portion in the form of circular spots, thereby preventing generation of circular defects itself. In addition, more selectively, the amorphous silicon layer132may be rinsed by using the deionized water220to which hydrogen is added at a hydrogen concentration of, e.g., about 1.0 ppm. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably prevent the circular defects from being formed.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.8, a polycrystalline silicon layer134may be formed by irradiating a laser beam240onto the amorphous silicon layer132(S700). The laser250may intermittently generate a laser beam240to irradiate the amorphous silicon layer132. For example, laser250may be an excimer laser that generates the laser beam240of a short wavelength, high power, and high efficiency. The excimer laser may use, e.g., an inert gas, an inert gas halide, a mercury halide, an inert gas oxide compound, and a polyatomic excimer. For example, the inert gas may include Ar2, Kr2, Xe2, or the like, the inert gas halide may include ArF, ArCl, KrF, KrCl, XeF, XeCl, or the like, the mercury halide may include HgCl, HgBr, HgI, or the like, the inert gas oxidized compound may include ArO, KrO, XeO, or the like, and the polyatomic excimer may include Kr2F, Xe2F, or the like.

The amorphous silicon layer132may be crystallized into the polycrystalline silicon layer134by irradiating the laser beam240from the laser250onto the amorphous silicon layer132while moving the substrate110. The laser250may irradiate the laser beam240having an energy density of about 450 mJ/cm2to about 500 mJ/cm2onto the amorphous silicon layer132. In an embodiment, a width WB of the laser beam240may be about 480 μm, and a scan pitch of the laser beam240in the first direction DR1may be about 9 μm to about 30 μm. For example, when the scan pitch is about 24 μm, about 24 laser beams240may be irradiated onto a predetermined area of the amorphous silicon layer132. As illustrated inFIG.8, the amorphous silicon layer132may be converted into a polycrystalline silicon layer134in a region in which the crystallization process is performed using the laser beam240.

As a result, although the doping process, cleaning process, rinsing process, and crystallization process for forming the polycrystalline silicon layer134have been described, it may be possible to add processes for forming the polycrystalline silicon layer134in addition to the above processes or omit some of the processes. In addition, it may be possible to perform the above processes a plurality of times. For example, the crystallization process may be performed two or more times.

Hereinafter, a thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the same according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.9toFIG.12.

FIG.9toFIG.12illustrate cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing method of a thin film transistor substrate according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, in describing a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate according to an embodiment, a detailed description of a portion overlapping the method of manufacturing the polycrystalline silicon layer according to the embodiment will be omitted.

Referring toFIG.9, a polycrystalline silicon pattern136may be formed by etching the polycrystalline silicon layer134disposed on the substrate110and the buffer layer120. The polycrystalline silicon layer134may be manufactured by the manufacturing method of the polycrystalline silicon layer134according to the embodiment described above. Thus, the polycrystalline silicon layer134includes the N-type impurity D1and the P-type impurity D2. In this case, the P-type impurity D2may be included near a surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer134and the N-type impurity D1may be included near a bottom of the polycrystalline silicon layer134adjacent to the buffer layer120. A boundary between an n-doped polycrystalline silicon and a p-doped polycrystalline silicon may not be clearly present. However, the concentration of the P-type impurity D2decreases as a distance from the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer134increases and the concentration of the N-type impurity D1decreases as it approaches the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer134. Within the polycrystalline silicon layer134, the concentration of the P-type impurity D2is 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less, and the concentration of the N-type impurity D1is 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less.

The polycrystalline silicon layer134may be etched by photolithography. For example, a photoresist pattern may be formed on the polycrystalline silicon layer134using an exposure process and a developing process, and the polycrystalline silicon layer134may be etched by using the photoresist pattern as an etch mask.

Referring toFIG.10, a gate insulating layer140and a gate electrode GE may be disposed on the polycrystalline silicon pattern136. The gate insulating layer140may be disposed on the buffer layer120to cover the polycrystalline silicon pattern136. The gate insulating layer140may insulate the gate electrode GE from the polycrystalline silicon pattern136. For example, the gate insulating layer140may be formed using a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, or the like.

The gate electrode GE may overlap the polycrystalline silicon pattern136. The gate electrode GE may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), or an alloy thereof, and may have a single layer or a multilayer structure including different metal layers. For example, the gate electrode GE may include a triple layer of molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum, a double layer of copper/titanium, or the like.

For example, a first metal layer and a photoresist pattern overlapping the polycrystalline silicon pattern136may be positioned on the gate insulating layer140. Then, the gate electrode GE may be formed by etching the first metal layer using the photoresist pattern.

Referring toFIG.11, ions may be partially implanted into the polycrystalline silicon pattern136to dope a source region SR and a drain region DR. The source region SR, the drain region DR and a channel region may constitute an active pattern AP.

Such an ion implantation process may be performed by using the gate electrode GE as a mask. That is, in the polycrystalline silicon pattern136, a region overlapping the gate electrode GE remains undoped with ions to form the channel region CR, and remaining regions are doped to form the source region SR and the drain region DR. The ions may be the N-type impurity or the P-type impurity.

In this ion implantation process, a portion of the polycrystalline silicon pattern136overlapping the gate electrode GE remains undoped with ions to become the channel region CR. However, as described above, since the N-type impurity D1and the P-type impurity D2are already included in the polycrystalline silicon pattern136, the N-type impurity D1and the P-type impurity D2are also included in the channel region CR. That is, the concentration of the P-type impurity D2included in the channel region CR increases as it approaches the gate insulating layer140, and the concentration of the N-type impurity D1increases as a distance from the gate insulating layer140increases. Within the channel region CR, the concentration of the P-type impurity D2is 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less, and the concentration of the N-type impurity D1is 1e14 atoms/cm2or more and 1e16 atoms/cm2or less. Within the channel region CR, the concentration of the P-type impurity D2and the concentration of the N-type impurity D1may be substantially the same. As such, even when the P-type impurity D2is present near an upper surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer134to prevent generation of circular spots on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer134, the N-type impurity D1of substantially the same concentration exists in the channel region CR, and thus characteristics of the transistor may not be affected by the impurities.

Meanwhile, a portion of the polycrystalline silicon pattern136additionally doped with ions increases conductivity and thus has a property of a conductor, and thus may become the source region SR and the drain region DR. The channel region CR may be formed between the source region SR and the drain region DR.

The thickness of the obtained active pattern may be 300 Å or more and 500 Å or less.

Referring toFIG.12, an interlayer insulating layer150, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE may be disposed on the gate electrode GE.

The interlayer insulating layer150may be disposed on the gate insulating layer140to cover the gate electrode GE. The interlayer insulating layer150may insulate the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE from the gate electrode GE.

The interlayer insulating layer150may include an inorganic insulating layer, an organic insulating layer, or a combination thereof. For example, the interlayer insulating layer150may include a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, a silicon carbide, or a combination thereof, and may include an insulating metal oxide such as an aluminum oxide, a tantalum oxide, a hafnium oxide, a zirconium oxide, or a titanium oxide. When the interlayer insulating layer150includes an organic insulating layer, it may include a polyimide, a polyamide, an acrylic resin, a phenol resin, a benzocyclobutene (BCB), or the like.

Thereafter, the interlayer insulating layer150and the gate insulating layer140may be etched to form through holes exposing the source region SR and the drain region DR, respectively.

Subsequently, the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE that are respectively electrically connected to the source region SR and the drain region DR of the active pattern AP may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer150. That is, the source electrode SE in contact with the source region SR and the drain electrode DR in contact with the drain region DR may be formed by forming a source contact hole and a drain contact hole, and forming a second metal layer on the interlayer insulating film150in which the source contact hole and a drain contact hole are formed and patterning it. For example, each of the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DR may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), or an alloy thereof, and may have a single layer or a multilayer structure including different metal layers. For example, the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DR may each include a triple layer of molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum, a double layer of copper/titanium, or the like.

According to an embodiment, when an amorphous silicon layer is formed before the crystallization process, it is possible to prevent circular spots that may be generated during the subsequent cleaning process using hydrofluoric acid and the rinse process using deionized water without affecting the device characteristics by forming the second amorphous silicon layer containing the P-type impurity on the first amorphous silicon layer containing the N-type impurity. Accordingly, a thin film transistor TR with improved characteristics such as threshold voltage distribution and hysteresis may be formed.

Hereinafter, a display device and a manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIG.13andFIG.14.

FIG.13illustrates an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a display device according to an embodiment, andFIG.14illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.13, each of the display device according to the embodiment includes signal lines, for example, a gate line GL, a data line DL, and a driving voltage line PL, and a pixel PX connected thereto. The display device may include a plurality of pixels arranged in a substantially matrix configuration. Each of the plurality of pixels may be connected to a respective GL, a respective DL and a respective PL.

The signal lines may include gate lines GL for transmitting gate signals (or scan signals), data lines DL for transmitting data voltages, and driving voltage lines PL for transmitting a driving voltage ELVDD. The gate lines GL may extend in a substantially row direction. The data lines DL and the plurality of pixels may intersect the gate lines GL to extend in a substantially column direction. Each of the pixels PX may include a driving transistor TR1, a switching transistor TR2, a storage capacitor CST, and a light emitting diode (LED).

The driving transistor TR1may include a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal. The control terminal may be connected to the switching transistor TR2. The input terminal may be connected to the driving voltage line PL. The output terminal may be connected to the light emitting diode LED. The driving transistor TR1may transfer an output current Id having a magnitude that varies depending on a voltage applied between the control terminal and the output terminal of the driving transistor TR1to the light emitting diode LED.

The switching transistor TR2may include a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal. The control terminal may be connected to the gate line GL. The input terminal may be connected to the data line DL. The output terminal may be connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor TR1. The switching transistor TR2may transfer a data voltage supplied from the data line DL to the control electrode of the driving transistor TR1in response to a gate signal applied to the gate line GL.

The storage capacitor CST may be connected between the control terminal and the input terminal of the driving transistor TR1. The storage capacitor CST may charge a voltage difference between the power line PL and the data voltage applied to the control terminal of the driving transistor TR1, and may maintain it even after the switching transistor TR2is turned off.

The light emitting diode LED may include an anode connected to the output terminal of the driving transistor TR1and a cathode connected to the common voltage ELVSS. The light emitting diode LED may display an image by emitting light with different brightness depending on the output current Id of the driving transistor TR1.

In an embodiment, each pixel PX has been described as including two thin film transistors TR1and TR2and one capacitor CST, but the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, each pixel PX may include three or more thin film transistors or two or more capacitors.

Referring toFIG.14, a display device100according to an embodiment may include a substrate110, a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate110, and a display element disposed on the thin film transistor. In an embodiment, the display device100may include a light emitting diode LED, e.g., an organic light emitting diode, as the display element. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the display device100may include various other display elements.

The thin film transistor TR1and the light emitting diode LED illustrated inFIG.14may correspond to the driving transistor TR1and the light emitting diode LED illustrated inFIG.13, respectively. Meanwhile, the display device100according to the embodiment may include a thin film transistor TR according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG.12. In addition, in an embodiment, although it has been described that the driving transistor TR1includes polycrystalline silicon, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and other transistors included in the pixel PX may be formed to have an active layer including other materials such as amorphous silicon or an oxide semiconductor.

In an embodiment, the driving transistor TR1illustrated inFIG.13includes an active layer containing polycrystalline silicon, but the switching transistor TR2(inFIG.13) may include an active layer containing an oxide semiconductor. In this case, the oxide semiconductor may include at least one of a primary metal-based oxide such as an indium oxide, a tin oxide, or a zinc oxide, a binary metal-based oxide such as an In—Zn-based oxide, an Sn—Zn-based oxide, an Al—Zn-based oxide, a Zn—Mg-based oxide, a Sn—Mg-based oxide, an In—Mg-based oxide, or an In—Ga-based oxide, a ternary metal-based oxide such as an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide, an In—Al—Zn-based oxide, an In—Sn—Zn-based oxide, a Sn—Ga—Zn-based oxide, an Al—Ga—Zn-based oxide, a Sn—Al—Zn-based oxide, an In—Hf—Zn-based oxide, an In—La—Zn-based oxide, an In—Ce—Zn-based oxide, an In—Pr—Zn-based oxide, an In—Nd—Zn-based oxide, an In—Sm—Zn-based oxide, an In—Eu—Zn-based oxide, an In—Gd—Zn-based oxide, an In—Tb—Zn-based oxide, an In—Dy—Zn-based oxide, an In—Ho—Zn-based oxide, an In—Er—Zn-based oxide, an In—Tm—Zn-based oxide, an In—Yb—Zn-based oxide, or an In—Lu—Zn-based oxide, and a quaternary metal-based oxide such as an In—Sn—Ga—Zn-based oxide, an In—Hf—Ga—Zn-based oxide, an In—Al—Ga—Zn-based oxide, an In—Sn—Al—Zn-based oxide, an In—Sn—Hf—Zn-based oxide, or an In—Hf—Al—Zn-based oxide. For example, the oxide semiconductor may be an IGZO (In—Ga—Zn—O) semiconductor in which a metal such as indium (In) or gallium (Ga) is contained in ZnO. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and various modifications may be made according to another embodiment.

When the active layer of the thin film transistor includes an oxide semiconductor, it has a low off-current and low-frequency driving is possible. Accordingly, since any one of the driving transistors TR1and the switching transistor TR2is configured to include an oxide semiconductor layer, power consumption of the display device100may be reduced.

The light emitting diode LED may include a first electrode E1, an emission layer180, and a second electrode E2that are sequentially stacked. The light emitting diode LED may display an image by emitting light based on a driving current transferred from the driving transistor TR1.

First, a planarization layer (or protective layer)160may be disposed on the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE to planarize a surface on which the light emitting diode (LED) is formed. The planarization layer160may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer150to cover the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE. The planarization layer160may insulate the first electrode E1from the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE.

The planarization layer160may include an organic insulating layer, an inorganic insulating layer, or a combination thereof. For example, the planarization layer160may have a single or multi-layered structure of a silicon nitride or a silicon oxide. When the planarization layer160includes an organic insulating layer, it may include a polyimide, an acrylic resin, a phenol resin, a benzocyclobutene (BCB), a polyamide, or the like.

Next, the planarization layer160is patterned to form a contact hole exposing the drain electrode DE. A first electrode E1electrically connected to the drain electrode DE may be formed on the planarization layer160. For example, a third metal layer may be disposed on the planarization layer160in which the contact hole exposing the drain electrode DE is formed and patterned to form a first electrode E1in contact with the drain electrode DE through a contact hole.

The first electrode E1may be a pixel electrode of the display device. The first electrode E1may be formed as a transmitting electrode or a reflecting electrode depending on a type of light emission of the display device. When the first electrode E1is formed as the transmitting electrode, the first electrode E1may include an indium tin oxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), a zinc tin oxide (ZTO), an indium oxide (In2O3), a zinc oxide (ZnO), a tin oxide (SnO2), etc. When the first electrode E1is formed as the reflecting electrode, the first electrode E1may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), and the like, and may have a stacked structure with a material used for the transmitting electrode.

A pixel defining layer170may be disposed on the planarization layer160on the first electrode E1. The pixel defining layer170may have an opening exposing at least a portion of the first electrode E1. For example, the pixel defining layer170may include an organic insulating material.

An emission layer180may be disposed on the first electrode E1. The emission layer180may be disposed on an upper surface of the first electrode E1exposed by the opening of the pixel defining layer170. For example, the emission layer180may be formed by a method such as screen printing, inkjet printing, or vapor deposition.

The emission layer180may include a low molecular organic compound or a high molecular organic compound. For example, the organic emission layer180may include the low-molecular organic compound such as copper phthalocyanine, N,N′-diphenylbenzidine, tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum, or the like. In addition, the emission layer180may include the polymer organic compound such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, poly-phenylenevinylene, polyfluorene, or the like.

In an embodiment, the emission layer180may emit red light, green light, or blue light. In another embodiment, when the emission layer180emits white light, the emission layer180may include a multilayer structure including a red emission layer, a green emission layer, and a blue emission layer, or may include a single-layer structure including a red emission material, a green emission material, and a blue emission material.

In an embodiment, a hole injection layer and/or a hole transport layer may be further disposed between the first electrode E1and the emission layer180, or an electron transport layer and/or an electron injection layer may be further disposed on the emission layer180.

A second electrode E2may be disposed on the emission layer180. The second electrode E2may be a common electrode of the display device. The second electrode E2may be formed as a transmitting electrode or a reflecting electrode depending on a light emission type of the display device. For example, when the second electrode E2is formed as a transparent electrode, the second electrode E2may include lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), lithium fluoride (LiF), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), or a combination thereof.

The display device100and the transistor TR formed as described above may improve device characteristics by including a polycrystalline silicon layer manufactured according to an embodiment, a detailed description of which will be described later with reference toFIG.15,FIG.16A,FIG.16B, andFIG.17.

FIG.15illustrates a graph showing results of measuring a contact angle with water before crystallization of an amorphous silicon layer in examples and comparative examples,FIG.16AandFIG.16Billustrate photographs showing microscopic observation of a surface of a polycrystalline silicon layer in examples and comparative examples, andFIG.17illustrates a graph showing a number of defects in examples and comparative examples.

Six samples indicated on a horizontal axis inFIG.15are as follows.

Reference example: amorphous silicon layer without any treatment.

Comparative Example 1: Sample in which the surface of the amorphous silicon layer was washed with hydrofluoric acid for 60 s.

Example 1: Sample doped with 1e14 atoms/cm2of phosphorus (P) on the first amorphous silicon layer and 1e14 atoms/cm2of boron (B) on the second amorphous silicon layer, and washed with hydrofluoric acid for 60 s.

Comparative Examples 2: Sample doped with 1e12 atoms/cm2of phosphorus (P) on the first amorphous silicon layer and 1e12 atoms/cm2of boron (B) on the second amorphous silicon layer, and washed with hydrofluoric acid for 60 s.

Example 2: Sample doped with 1e14 atoms/cm2of phosphorus (P) on the first amorphous silicon layer and 1e14 atoms/cm2of fluorine (F) on the second amorphous silicon layer, and washed with hydrofluoric acid for 60 s.

Comparative Examples 3: Sample doped with 1e12 atoms/cm2of phosphorus (P) on the first amorphous silicon layer and 1e12 atoms/cm2of fluorine (F) on the second amorphous silicon layer, and washed with hydrofluoric acid for 60 s.

FIG.15illustrates results of measuring a contact angle with water on a surface of each sample. As illustrated inFIG.15, in the case of Comparative Example 1 in which only washing with hydrofluoric acid was performed, it can be seen that the contact angle is largely increased because the surface has a hydrophobic characteristic. On the other hand, it was confirmed that in the case of Examples 1 and 2 in which the P-type impurity was doped at 1e14 atoms/cm2or more on the surface, the contact angle was significantly lowered. In addition, it was confirmed that even when the P-type impurity was doped, the contact angle was still high in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 in which a doping concentration was less than 1e14 atoms/cm2.

Next, device characteristics of the display device including the polycrystalline silicon layer obtained from Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 were measured. The measured values are as follows.

As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that a median value of a threshold voltage Vth of Comparative Example 1 is −3.46[V] and a median value of the threshold voltage Vth of Example 1 is −3.26[V]. Example 1 to which an additional doping is performed still has a similar threshold voltage as that of the comparative Example 1. In addition, the hysteresis that is defined by a difference in a driving range, a mobility and the threshold voltage (delta Vth) in the Example 1 in which additional doping was performed and in the Comparative Example 1 in which no doping was performed has substantially the same value.

Next, results of observing surfaces of the polycrystalline silicon layers obtained from Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 under a microscope are shown inFIG.16AandFIG.16B.

Circular spots are generated on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer of Comparative Example 1 as illustrated inFIG.16A, whereas circular spots are not generated on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer of Example 1 as illustrated inFIG.16B.

Total number of defects and a number of circular spots for samples having same size were determined and are shown inFIG.17. As illustrated inFIG.17, it was confirmed that, in the case of Example 1, the total number of defects and the number of circular spots were significantly reduced as compared to the Comparative Example 1. For example, the circular spots of 19 were observed in Comparative Example 1, while no circular spot was found in Example 1. In the case of Example 1, it is possible to significantly reduce circular spots on the surface while maintaining excellent device characteristics by maintaining the advantage of the cleaning process using such hydrofluoric acid.

As a result, it can be seen that, in accordance with the polycrystalline silicon layer according to an embodiment, it is possible to prevent pixel defects due to circular spots by preventing generation of circular spots, particularly without deteriorating the device characteristics.