Thin film semiconductor device and method of making the same

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises, at least, an insulative layer; a semiconductor layer provided in contact with the insulative layer; first and second electrodes provided in contact with the semiconductor layer; and a third electrode provided on the opposite surface of the insulative layer to the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a crystallite layer whose average grain diameter lies within a range from 50 to 350 Å and an amorphous layer.

Description: The invention relates to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device which can be employed in a photoelectric converting device for use in an image processing apparatus such as facsimile, digital copying apparatus, image reader, or the like. It also relates to a method of manufacturing such semiconductor device. A thin film semiconductor made of a non-monocrystalline semiconductor, particularly, non-monocrystalline silicon (polysilicon, crystallite silicon, and amorphous silicon) is suitably used as a photoelectric converting device which can be preferably used as a thin film semiconductor device in a photoelectric converting device having a large area or a long length. As a photoelectric converting device using a thin film semiconductor, there are two kinds of devices such as primary photo current type (photodiode type) device and secondary photo current type device. Although the primary photo current type is a photoelectric converting device to extract electrons and holes generated by the incident light and photoelectrically convert, there is a problem such that a photo current which can be taken out as an output is small. On the other hand, according to the secondary photo current type photoelectric converting device, since a larger photo current (secondary photo current) can be obtained as compared with that of the primary photo current type photoelectric converting device, it can be applied to apparatuses in a wider range and an attention is paid to it. Fig. 1 is a schematic constructional diagram for explaining an example of the secondary photo current type photoelectric converting device. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1011 denotes an insulative substrate such as glass or the like; 1012 a photoconductive semiconductor layer made of CdS-Se, amorphous silicon hydride (hereinafter, abbreviated to "a-Si:H") formed by a plasma CVD method or the like, etc.; 1013a and 1013b impurity layers for ohmic contact; and 1014a and 1014b electrodes. In the above construction, by applying a voltage across the electrodes 1014a and 1014b, a large secondary photo current flows and is photoelectrically converted when the light enters from the side of the substrate 1011 or the side of the electrodes 1014a and 1014b. Further, a photoelectric converting device of the thin film transistor type having auxiliary electrodes to stabilize and improve the characteristics (photo current, dark current, etc.) is proposed. Fig. 2 is a schematic constructional diagram of a thin film transistor type photoelectric converting device having auxiliary electrodes. In Fig. 2, the same component elements as those shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 1015 denotes a transparent or opaque gate electrode and 1016 indicates a gate insulative layer made of SiN x or the like and formed by a plasma CVD method or the like. Further, a complete contact type photo sensor (photoelectric converting device) using the thin film transistor type photoelectric converting device of Fig. 2, a thin film transistor, and the like is proposed (JP-A-61-26365). Fig. 3 shows an example of such a circuit. Fig. 3 relates to the case of a sensor array having nine thin film transistor type photoelectric converting sections. In the diagram, one block is constructed by every three of thin film transistor type photoelectric converting sections E 1 to E 9 . Thus, three blocks are formed by the converting sections E 1 to E 9 . The sensor array is constructed by those three blocks. Capacitors C 1 to C 9 and switching transistors T 1 to T 9 are respectively connected to the converting sections E 1 to E 9 in correspondence thereto. Individual electrodes of the photoelectric converting sections E 1 to E 9 are connected to corresponding proper one of common lines 3102 to 3104 through the switching transitors T 1 to T 9 . In more detail, the first switching transistors T 1 , T 4 , and T 7 of each block are connected to the common line 3102. The second switching transistors T 2 , T 5 , and T 8 of each block are connected to the common line 3103. The third switching transistors T 3 , T 6 , and T 9 of each block are connected to the common line 3104. The common lines 3102 to 3104 are connected to an amplifier 3105 through switching transistors T 10 to T 12 . Gate electrodes of switching transistors ST 1 to ST 9 are commonly connected every block in a manner similar to the gate electrodes of the switching transistors T 1 to T 9 and are connected to parallel output terminals of a shift register 3109 every block. Therefore, the switching transistors ST 1 to ST 9 are sequentially turned on every block by a shift timing of the shift register 3109. In Fig. 3, the common lines 3102 to 3104 are respectively connected to the ground through capacitors C 10 to C 12 and to the ground through switching transistors CT 1 to CT 3 . A capacitance of each of the capacitors C 10 to C 12 is set to be sufficiently larger than that of each of the capacitors C 1 to C 9 . Gate electrodes of the switching transistors CT 1 to CT 3 are commonly connected and are also connected to a terminal 3108. That is, by applying a high level signal to the terminal 3108, the switching transistors CT 1 to CT 3 are simultaneously turned on, so that the common lines 3102 to 3104 are connected to the ground. Further, the photoelectric converting sections E 1 to E 9 have gate electrodes G 1 to G 9 . Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of a one-dimensional complete contact sensor array formed on the basis of the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 3. In the diagram, reference numeral 3111 denotes a matrix-shaped wiring portion comprising the common lines 3102 to 3104 and the like; 3112 indicates a thin film transistor type photoelectric converting section; 3113 a charge accumulating section comprising the capacitors C 1 to C 9 ; 3114 a transfer switch which is constructed by the switching transistor T 1 to T 9 and uses thin film transistors having the same structure as that of the photoelectric converting section; 3115 a discharge switch which comprises the switching transistors ST 1 to ST 9 and uses thin film transistors having the same structure as that of the photoelectric converting section; 3116 an extension line to connect a signal output of the transfer switch 3114 to a signal processing IC: and 3117 a load capacitor which comprises the capacitors CT 1 to CT 3 and is used to accumulate the signal charges which have been transferred by the transfer switch 3114 and to read out the signal charges. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A' in Fig. 4. As will be obviously understood from Fig. 5, all of the thin film transistor type photoelectric converting section 3112, charge accumulating section 3113, transfer switch 3114, discharge switch 3115, matrix-shaped wiring section 3111, load capacitor 3117, and the like have a common construction in which a metal (gate electrode 1015 in the photoelectric converting section), an insulative layer (gate insulative layer 1016 in the photoelectric converting section), a photoconductive semiconductor layer (1012 in the photoelectric converting section), ohmic contact layers (1013a and 1013b in the photoelectric converting section), and metals (1014a and 1014b in the photoelectric converting section) are formed on the substrate 1011 in accordance with this order. The sensor array shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as mentioned above has the common construction in order to reduce the manufacturing costs by simultaneously manufacturing the photoelectric converting section and the drive circuit section. Particularly, when there is a high fine image reading request, the number of pixels must be increased, so that the drive circuit section which operates at a high speed is needed. However, when the thin film transistor as a thin film semiconductor device of the drive circuit section is made of a semiconductor material of a-Si:H, a mobility of the carrier lies within a range from 0.1 to 0.5 cm 2 .C -1 .S -1 and is not enough large. Consequently, there is a limitation in the charge transfer ability. To improve the charge transfer ability, in general, a size of thin film transistor as one of the thin film semiconductor devices is enlarged, the number of drive circuit sections is set to two, or the like. However, a size of photoelectric converting apparatus is consequently enlarged and the manufacturing costs are also increased. Therefore, it is demanded to realise a photoelectric converting apparatus in which the size is not enlarged and the costs are low and which is suitable for miniaturization and has a drive circuit section having an enough high transfer ability. The present invention is more particularly concerned with a semiconductor device comprising : an insulative layer; a semiconductor layer provided in contact with the insulative layer; first and second electrodes provided in contact with the semiconductor layer through an ohmic layer; and a third electrode provided between the first and second electrodes and on the opposite surface of the insulative layer to the semiconductor layer. Such a device is disclosed in Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 56, No. 7, 1990, pages 650-652. In the known device, the semiconductor layer is amorphous silicon which is phosphorous-doped adjacent the first and second electrodes. The present invention is characterised in that the semiconductor layer comprises a microcrystalline layer of microcrystals whose average grain diameter lies within a range from 5 to 35 nm (50 to 350 Å) (hereinafter referred to as a "crystallite" layer) and an amorphous layer, the microcrystalline layer of the semiconductor layer being arranged on the insulative layer side. It has been found that, by employing these features, the semiconductor layer not only has a good performance as a semiconductor but also maintains a good performance as a photoelectric converter. A thin film transistor and the like of the drive circuit section can be formed by a construction which is common to the photoelectric converting section. Also, the costs are low, the size is not enlarged, mobility of carriers is high, and an enough high transfer ability is provided. The thickness of the crystallite layer is preferably set to a value within a range about from 50 to 200 nm (500 to 2000 Å) in consideration of an effective transfer of charges. Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 8, No. 268 (E-283) (1705), 7 December 1984 and JP-A-59 139 682 discloses a photoconductive thin film comprising laminated alternating layers of hydrogenated amorphous silicon and hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon, with the outer layers both being of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, for obtaining a large photocurrent and a favourable sensitivity to light. Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 9, No. 49 (E-300) (1772), 2 March 1995 and JP-A-59188965 discloses that, on a metal electrode, an amorphous silicon layer, a microcrystalline silicon layer and a transparent electrode are laminated, in that order, to produce an original reading element. With this arrangement, electric current flows between the metal electrode and the transparent electrode. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic constructional diagram for explaining an example of a photoelectric converting device; Fig. 2 is a schematic constructional diagram for explaining an example of a photoelectric converting device; Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a photoelectric converting apparatus; Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of a contact sensor array having the circuit of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A' of the contact sensor array of Fig. 4; Figs. 6, 10, and 12 are schematic constructional diagrams for explaining examples of a photoelectric converting devices according to the invention, respectively; Fig. 7 is a conceptional diagram of a plasma CVD apparatus used to form the photoelectric converting device of the invention; Fig. 8 is a gas introducing timing diagram in the plasma CVD apparatus in the formation of the photoelectric converting device of the invention; Figs. 9, 11, and 13 are diagrams showing characteristics of the photoelectric converting devices, respectively; and Fig. 14 is an installation diagram of a contact photo sensor array using the photoelectric converting device of the invention. (Embodiment 1) Fig. 6 is a schematic constructional diagram of a photoelectric converting device of the invention. In the diagram, reference numeral 1011 denotes the substrate; 1016 the insulative layer; 1015 the third electrode (gate electrode); 1014a the first electrode (drain electrode); 1014b the second electrode (source electrode); 1013a and 1013b ohmic contact layers; and 1012 the photoconductive semiconductor layer. The photoconductive semiconductor layer 1012 has a double layer structure comprising: the a-Si:H layer 1012a on the side of the drain electrode 1014a and source electrode 1014b; and the crystallite layer 1012b on the side of the insulative layer 1016. Fig. 7 is a constructional conceptional diagram for explaining an example of a plasma CVD apparatus used in manufacturing of the photoelectric converting device of the embodiment. In Fig. 7, reference numeral 70 denotes a reaction chamber; 11 a substrate in which functional layers such as a photoconductive semiconductor layer and the like are formed on the surface; 71 an anode electrode having a heater (not shown); 72 a cathode electrode; 73 a high frequency power source of 13.56 MHz; 74 an exhaust pump; 75 an SiH 4 gas introducing tube; 76 an H 2 gas (containing the Ar gas) introducing tube; 77 a microwave source of 2.45 GHz and a microwave applicator; and V 1 and V 2 valves to control the SiH 4 gas and H 2 gas, respectively. The valves V 1 and V 2 are connected to a computer to accurately control the opening/closing times. The photoelectric converting device of the embodiment is manufactured in the following manner. (1) A Cr layer having a film thickness of 0.1 µm is deposited onto the glass substrate 1011 (#7059 made by Corning Glass Works Co., Ltd.) by a sputtering method and is patterned into a desired pattern, thereby forming the gate electrode 1015. (2) The substrate 1011 is set into the ordinary plasma CVD apparatus and a temperature of substrate is set to 350°C. After that, the SiH 4 gas, NH 3 gas, and H 2 gas are introduced at desired mixture ratios and the layer of SiN x :H is deposited, thereby forming the insulative layer 1016 having a film thickness of 300 nm (3000 Å). (3) Subsequently, the photoconductive semiconductor layer 1012 is deposited by the following procedure by using the plasma CVD apparatus shown in Fig. 7. 1 ○ First, the substrate 1011 is set, the inside of the reaction chamber 70 is exhausted up to a predetermined pressure by the exhaust pump 74, and the substrate 1011 is simultaneously heated up to 340°C by the heater (not shown). 2 ○ The introducing timing of the SiH 4 gas and H 2 gas are controlled as shown in Fig. 8. That is, one unit (time t A ) having a time t 1 to deposit the film and a time t 2 to irradiate an H 2 plasma is repeated. For the film depositing time t 1 , both of the valves V 1 and V 2 are open, so that the SiH 4 gas, Ar gas, and H 2 gas are fed into the reaction chamber. The SiH 4 gas is set to 10 SCCM, the H 2 gas is set to 10 SCCM, and a pressure in the reaction chamber is adjusted to 1.3 x 10 Pa (0.1Torr) by the Ar gas. In this instance, a depositing speed is set to about 0.3 nm/sec (3 Å/sec). A thickness of film which is deposited for the time t 1 is set to about 0.5 nm (5 Å). For the H 2 plasma irradiating time t 2 , the valve V 1 is closed, the valve V 2 is opened, and the H 2 plasma is irradiated. A quality of film deposited for the time t 1 changes in dependence on the H 2 plasma irradiating time t 2 . Particularly, it has been found that an amount of H contained in the film changes and, when the time t 2 is set to a value longer than 80 seconds, a crystallite layer is formed. In the embodiment, the crystallite layer 1012b having a film thickness of 100 nm (1000 Å) is formed on the insulative layer 1016 side by alternately repeating the processes for the above times t 1 and t 2 a number of times. The substrate is cooled up to 250°C. After that, the SiH 4 gas is set to 10 SCCM, the H 2 gas is set to 10 SCCM, the supply of the Ar gas is stopped, and the inside of the reaction chamber is set to 6.7 x 10 Pa (0.5 Torr), thereby depositing the a-Si:H layer 1012a having a film thickness of 400 nm (4000 Å). (4) The substrate is set into the ordinary plasma CVD apparatus and an ohmic contact layer having a film thickness of 150 nm (1500 Å) is formed by using the SiH 4 gas, PH 3 gas, and H 2 gas. (5) Lastly, an A1 layer having a thickness of 800 nm (8000 Å) is formed by a sputtering method and is patterned together with the above ohmic contact layer, thereby forming the ohmic contact layers 1013a and 1013b, drain electrode 1014a, and source electrode 1014b. To examine the fundamental characteristics of the thin film transistor formed as mentioned above, a voltage within a range from -10 to 20 V is applied to the gate electrode 1015, a voltage of 1 V is applied to the drain electrode 1014a, and a voltage of 0 V is applied to the source electrode 1014b, and currents flowing between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode are measured. In Fig. 9, an axis of ordinate indicates the current flowing between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b and an axis of abscissa indicates a voltage V G of the gate electrode 1015. In Fig. 9, A and A' indicate characteristics of the thin film transistor according to the embodiment of the invention in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode, respectively. B and B' show characteristics of the thin film transistor in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode in the case where such a thin film transistor is formed by a method similar to the above method except that the step (3) of forming the crystallite layer 1012b among the steps (1) to (5) of forming the thin film transistor according to the embodiment of the invention is omitted and that the a-Si:H layer having a film thickness of 600 nm (6000 Å) is formed in the step of forming the a-Si:H layer 1012a. As shown in Fig. 9, when comparing the characteristics A' and B' in the light non-irradiating mode, in the case of the thin film transistor (shown by A') of the embodiment of the invention, the current (dark current) flowing across the source electrode and the drain electrode near the gate electrode voltage of 20 V is increased by tens of %. On the other hand, when comparing the characteristics A and B in the light irradiating mode, in both of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention and the thin film transistor as a comparison example, similar currents (photo currents) flowing across the source electrode and the drain electrode are obtained. From Fig. 9, it will be understood that the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is improved as compared with the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor as a comparison example because of an increase in current between the source and drain electrodes in the light non-irradiating mode. It will be also understood that the current between the source and drain electrodes in the light irradiating mode in a region of V g ≦ 0 V where an enough large ratio between the photo current and the dark current can be obtained in the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is almost similar to that of the thin film transistor as a comparison example, so that the transistor of the embodiment can be also sufficiently used as a photoelectric converting section. (Embodiment 2) Fig. 10 is a schematic constructional diagram of a photoelectric converting device in which the charge transfer ability of the photoelectric converting device of the embodiment 1 is further improved. In the diagram, the same component elements as those in Fig. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals. In Fig. 10, reference numeral 1015b denotes a gate electrode and 1016b indicates a gate insulative layer made of SiN x or the like. The device of Fig. 10 differs from that of Fig. 6 with respect to the depositing depositions of an a-Si:H layer 1012a and a crystallite layer 1012b of the photoconductive semiconductor layer 1012 and the position of the gate electrode 1015b. The photoelectric converting device of the embodiment 2 is manufactured in the following manner. (1) The step (1) is similar to the step (3) in the embodiment 1 except that the forming order of the a-Si:H layer 1012a and the crystallite layer 1012b is reversed and the substrate temperature when the crystallite layer 1012b is formed is set to 230°C. (2) The step (2) is similar to the step (4) in the embodiment 1. (3) The step (3) is similar to the step (5) in the embodiment 1. (4) The substrate 1011 is set into the ordinary plasma CVD apparatus and the substrate temperature is set to 220°C. After that, the SiH 4 gas, NH 3 gas, and H 2 gas are introduced at predetermined mixture ratios and an SiN x :H layer is deposited, thereby forming the insulative layer 1016b having a film thickness of 300 nm (3000 Å). (5) Lastly, an ITO transparent layer having a film thickness of 200 nm (2000 Å) is formed by a sputtering method and is patterned, thereby forming the transparent gate electrode 1015b. To examine the fundamental characteristics of the thin film transistor formed as mentioned above, a voltage within a range from -10 to 20 V is applied to the gate electrode 1015b, a voltage of 1 V is applied to the drain electrode 1014a, a voltage of 0 V is applied to the source electrode 1014b, and currents flowing between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b in the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode are measured. In Fig. 11, an axis of ordinate indicates a current between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b and an axis of abscissa shows a voltage V G of the gate electrode 1015b. In Fig. 11, A and A' indicate the characteristics of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode, respectively. B and B' indicate the characteristics of the thin film transistor as a comparison example in the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode, respectively, in the case where such a thin film transistor is formed by substantially the same forming method as the above method except that the step (1) of forming the crystallite layer 1012b among the steps (1) to (5) of forming the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is omitted and that the a-Si:H layer having a film thickness of 600 nm (6000 Å) is formed in the step of forming the a-Si:H layer 1012a. As shown in Fig. 11, when comparing the characteristics A' and B' in the light non-irradiating mode, in the case of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention, the current (dark current) flowing across the source and drain electrodes near the gate electrode voltage of 20 V is increased by about 1.5 digits. When comparing the characteristics A and B in the light irradiating mode, in both of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention and the thin film transistor as a comparison example, the similar currents (photo currents) flowing across the source and drain electrodes are obtained. It will be understood from Fig. 11 that the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is fairly improved as compared with the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor as a comparison example due to a large increase in current flowing between the source and drain electrodes in the light non-irradiating mode. Since the current between the source and drain electrodes in the light irradiating mode in the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is almost similar to that in the thin film transistor as a comparison example, it will be understood that the thin film transistor of the embodiment can be also sufficiently used as a photoelectric converting section. (Embodiment 3) Fig. 12 is a schematic constructional diagram of a photoelectric converting device in which the charge transfer ability of the photoelectric converting device of the embodiment 1 is further improved. In Fig. 12, the component elements similar to those shown in Fig. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals. In Fig. 12, reference numeral 1015a denotes a third electrode (gate electrode); 1015b the fourth electrode (gate electrode); and 1016a and 1016b gate insulative layers made of SiN x or the like. The device of Fig. 12 largely differs from the device of Fig. 6 with respect to the depositing positions of the a-Si:H layer 1012a and the crystallite layer 1012b of the photoconductive semiconductor layer 1012 and the presence or absence of the gate electrode 1015b. The photoelectric converting device of the embodiment is manufactured in the following manner. (1) The step (1) is similar to the step (1) of the embodiment 1. (2) The step (2) is similar to the step (2) of the embodiment 1. (3) The step (3) is similar to the step (3) of the embodiment 1 except that the forming order of the a-Si:H layer 1012a and the crystallite layer 1012b is reversed and the substrate temperature when the crystallite layer 1012b is formed is set to 230°C. (4) The step (4) is similar to the step (4) of the embodiment 1. (5) The step (5) is similar to the step (5) of the embodiment 1. (6) The substrate 1011 is set into the ordinary plasma CVD apparatus and the substrate temperature is set to 220°C. After that, the SiH 4 gas, NH 3 gas, and H 2 gas are introduced at predetermined mixture ratios and an SiN x :H layer is deposited, thereby forming the insulative layer 1016b having a film thickness of 300 nm (3000 Å). (7) Lastly, an ITO transparent layer having a film thickness of 200 nm (2000 Å) is formed by a sputtering method and is patterned, thereby forming the transparent gate electrode 1015b. To examine the fundamental characteristics of the thin film transistor formed as mentioned above, a voltage within a range from -10 to 20 V is applied to the gate electrode 1015b, a voltage of 1 V is applied to the drain electrode 1014a, a voltage of 0 V is applied to the source electrode 1014b, and currents flowing between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode are measured. The voltage of gate electrode 1015 is set to 0 V. The light enters from the direction on the side of the gate electrode 1015b. In Fig. 13, an axis of ordinate indicates the current flowing between the drain electrode 1014a and the source electrode 1014b and an axis of abscissa indicates the voltage V G of the gate electrode 1015b. In Fig. 13, A and A' indicate the characteristics of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention in both of the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode, respectively. B and B' indicate the characteristics of the thin film transistor as a comparison example in the light irradiating mode and the light non-irradiating mode, respectively, in the case where such a thin film transistor is formed by substantially the same method as the foregoing method except that the step (3) of forming the crystallite layer 1012b among the steps (1) to (7) of forming the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is omitted and that the a-Si:H layer having a film thickness of 600 nm (6000 Å) is formed in the step of forming the a-Si:H layer 1012a. As shown in Fig. 13, when comparing the characteristics A' and B' in the light non-irradiating mode, in the case of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention, the current (dark current) flowing between the source and drain electrodes near the gate electrode voltage of 20 V is increased by about 1.5 digits. When comparing the characteristics A and B in the light irradiating mode, in both of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention and the thin film transistor as a comparison example, the similar currents (photo currents) flowing between the source and drain electrodes are obtained. It will be understood from Fig. 13 that the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is fairly improved as compared with the charge transfer ability of the thin film transistor as a comparison example due to a large increase in current across the source and drain electrodes in the light non-irradiating mode. Since the current flowing between the source and drain electrodes in the light irradiating mode in the thin film transistor of the embodiment of the invention is almost similar to that in the thin film transistor as a comparison example, it will be understood that the thin film transistor of the embodiment can be also sufficiently used as a photoelectric converting section. (Embodiment 4) A circuit as shown in Fig. 3 is constructed as a one-dimensional contact sensor array by using the photoelectric converting section comprising the thin film transistor formed in the second embodiment and the drive circuit section comprising such a thin film transistor or the like. In a manner similar to the embodiment 1, the various characteristics of the thin film transistor type photoelectric converting section are examined. Thus, the characteristics similar to those in the embodiment 1 were obtained. In the thin film transistor of the drive circuit section or the like, sufficient characteristics are shown and the charge transfer ability is improved by about one digit. Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the photoelectric converting device of the invention is installed as a one-dimensional complete contact type photo sensor array. In Fig. 14, an abrasion resistant layer 121 made of glass or the like is formed through a protective layer 120 over the photoelectric converting section and the drive circuit section. An original 123 is illuminated by a light source 122 such as a light emitting diode or the like from the back side of the translucent substrate 1011 such as glass or the like, thereby reading the original 123. It will be obviously understood that the photo sensor array using the photoelectric converting device of the invention can be also used as a one-dimensional contact type photo sensor array using an equal magnification image forming lens. In the above above embodiments, SiH 4 and H 2 are used as materials to form the thin film. However, the invention is not limited to those materials but can also use gases having a chemical formula of Si n H 2n+2 (n is an integer of 2 or more). Regarding silicon used in the embodiments, in addition to materials comprising at least silicon and hydrogen, silicon materials containing, for instance, fluorine or the like and other materials can be used. According to the invention as described above, since a semiconductor layer comprising a microcrystalline layer and an amorphous layer is used, it has a good performance. A good performance is maintained if it is employed in a photoelectric converting section. Therefore, there can be provided a photoelectric converting apparatus having a drive circuit section in which a thin film transistor or the like of the drive circuit section can be formed by a construction which is common to that of the photoelectric converting section, the costs are low, the size is not enlarged, and an enough high transfer ability is obtained.

Claims: A semiconductor device comprising: an insulative layer (1016; 1016b); a semiconductor layer (1012) provided in contact with the insulative layer; first and second electrodes (1014a, 1014b) provided in contact with the semiconductor layer through an ohmic layer (1013a, 1013b); and a third electrode (1015; 1015b) provided between the first and second electrodes and on the opposite surface of the insulative layer to the semiconductor layer, characterised in that the semiconductor layer comprises a microcrystalline layer (1012b) of microcrystals whose average grain diameter lies within a range from 5 to 35 nm (50 to 350 Å) and an amorphous layer (1012a), the microcrystalline layer of the semiconductor layer being arranged on the insulative layer side. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer includes at least silicon and hydrogen. A semiconductor device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second insulative layer (1016a) provided in contact with the amorphous layer side of the semiconductor layer, and a fourth electrode (1015a) provided in contact with the second insulative layer. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to any preceding claim, wherein the microcrystalline layer of said semiconductor layer is formed by repeatedly executing the steps of (a) depositing a hydrogenated silicon layer from a Si n H 2n+2 and H 2 atmosphere where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and (b) irradiating the deposited layer with a hydrogen plasma. A photoelectric converting device employing a semiconductor device according to any of claims 1 to 3.

Inventors: YAMANOBE MASATO, YAMANOBE, MASATO, YAMANOBE, MASATO, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H01L31
IPC codes: H01L31