Abstract:
A device on a supporting substrate is provided including a semiconductor film, having two or more rectangular crystalline regions spaced from each other, wherein each of the two or more rectangular crystalline regions comprises one single crystal region. The device can further include two or more thin-film transistors, wherein each of the two or more thin-film transistors comprises one or more active-channel regions. Each of the one or more active-channel regions can comprise at least one of said two or more rectangular crystalline regions. The device can further include an integrated circuit which comprises of the two or more thin-film transistors.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/744,493, filed May 4, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/141,815, filed Jun. 1, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/294,001, filed Nov. 13, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/390,535, filed Sep. 3, 1999, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,449, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/US96/07730, filed May 28, 1996, and which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/200,533, filed Nov. 27, 1998, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,625. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned priority applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
     The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to the terms of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency award number N66001-98-1-8913. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to techniques for semiconductor processing, and more particularly to semiconductor processing which may be performed at low temperatures. 
     II. Description of the Related Art 
     In the field of semiconductor processing, there have been several attempts to use lasers to convert thin amorphous silicon films into polycrystalline films. For example, in James Im et al., “Crystalline Si Films for Integrated Active-Matrix Liquid-Crystal Displays,” 11 MRS Bullitin 39 (1996), an overview of conventional excimer laser annealing technology is presented. In such a system, an excimer laser beam is shaped into a long beam which is typically up to 30 cm long and 500 micrometers or greater in width. The shaped beam is scanned over a sample of amorphous silicon to facilitate melting thereof and the formation of polycrystalline silicon upon resolidification of the sample. 
     The use of conventional excimer laser annealing technology to generate polycrystalline silicon is problematic for several reasons. First, the polycrystalline silicon generated in the process is typically small grained, of a random microstructure, and having a nonuniform grain sizes, therefore resulting in poor and nonuniform devices and accordingly, low manufacturing yield. Second, in order to obtain acceptable performance levels, the manufacturing throughput for producing polycrystalline silicon must be kept low. Also, the process generally requires a controlled atmosphere and preheating of the amorphous silicon sample, which leads to a reduction in throughput rates. Accordingly, there exists a need in the field to generate higher quality polycrystalline silicon at greater throughput rates. There likewise exists a need for manufacturing techniques which generate larger and more uniformly microstructured polycrystalline silicon thin films to be used in the fabrication of higher quality devices, such as flat panel displays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide techniques for producing uniform large-grained and grain boundary location controlled polycrystalline thin film semiconductors using the sequential lateral solidification process. 
     A further object of the present invention is to form large-grained and grain boundary location manipulated polycrystalline silicon over substantially the entire semiconductor sample. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide techniques for the fabrication of semiconductors devices useful for fabricating displays and other products where the predominant orientation of the semiconductor grain boundaries may be controllably aligned or misaligned with respect to the current flow direction of the device. 
     In order to achieve these objectives as well as others that will become apparent with reference to the following specification, the present invention provides methods for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film are disclosed. In one preferred arrangement, a method includes the steps of generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, controllably modulating each excimer laser pulse in the sequence to a predetermined fluence, homoginizing each modulated laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of slits to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of line patterned beamlets, each slit in the pattern of slits being sufficiently narrow to prevent inducement of significant nucleation in region of a silicon thin film sample irradiated by a beamlet corresponding to the slit, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of fluence controlled slit patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each fluence controlled patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating a relative position of the sample with respect to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film. 
     In a preferred arrangement, the masking step includes masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in said sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and linearly extending parallel to one direction of said plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. Advantageously, the translating provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets over substantially the predetermined slit spacing distance, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals. 
     In an especially preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits of a predetermined width, spaced a predetermined distance being less than the predetermined width apart, and linearly extending parallel to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, translating step comprises translating by a distance less than the predetermined width the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals using just two laser pulses. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined width is approximately 4 micrometers, the predetermined spacing distance is approximately 2 micrometers, and the translating distance is approximately 3 micrometers. 
     In an alternative preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially parallel straight slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, the translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction parallel to the one direction of the plane of homoginization over substantially the predetermined slit distance, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having long grained, directionally controlled crystals that are disoriented with respect to the XY axis of the thin silicon film. 
     In yet another preferred arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of intersecting straight slits, a first group of straight slits being spaced a first predetermined apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to a first direction of the plane of homoginization, and a second group of straight slits being spaced a second predetermined distance apart and linearly extending at substantially 45 degree angle with respect to a second direction of the plane of homoginization and intersecting the first group at substantially a 90 degree angle, to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. The corresponding translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction parallel to the first direction of the plane of homoginization over substantially the first predetermined slit spacing distance, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having large diamond shaped crystals. 
     In still another alternative arrangement, the masking step comprises masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of sawtooth shaped slits spaced a predetermined distance apart and extending generally parallel to one direction of the plane of homoginization to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of slit patterned beamlets. In this arrangement, the translating step provides for controllably sequentially translating the relative position of the sample in a direction perpendicular to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets over substantially the predetermined slit spacing distance, to the to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into polycrystalline silicon thin film having large hexagonal crystals. 
     In a modified arrangement, an alternative technique for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film using a polka-dot pattern is provided. The technique includes generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, homoginizing each laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of substantially opaque dots to generate a sequence of pulses of dot patterned beamlets, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of dot patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each dot patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating the sample relative to each of the pulses of dot patterned beamlets by alternating a translation direction in two perpendicular axis and in a distance less than the super lateral grown distance for the sample, to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this disclosure, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     In another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, methods for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film are disclosed. In one arrangement, a method includes the steps of generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, controllably modulating,each excimer laser pulse in the sequence to a predetermined fluence, homoginizing each modulated laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homogenized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of slits to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of line patterned beamlets, each slit in the pattern of slits being sufficiently narrow to prevent inducement of significant nucleation in region of a silicon thin film sample irradiated by a beamlet corresponding to the slit, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of fluence controlled slit patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each fluence controlled patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating a relative position of the sample with respect to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional diagram of a system for performing the lateral solidification process preferred to implement a preferred process of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a dashed pattern; 
         FIG. 2   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 2   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a chevron pattern; 
         FIG. 3   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 3   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a line pattern; 
         FIG. 4   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 4   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an illustrative diagram showing irradiated areas of a silicon sample using a mask having a line pattern; 
         FIG. 5   b  is an illustrative diagram showing irradiated areas of a silicon sample using a mask having a line pattern after initial irradiation and sample translation has occurred; 
         FIG. 5   c  is an illustrative diagram showing a crystallized silicon film after a second irradiation has occurred; 
         FIG. 6   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a diagonal line pattern; 
         FIG. 6   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 6   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a sawtooth pattern; 
         FIG. 7   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 7   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a crossing diagonal line pattern; 
         FIG. 8   b  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 8   a  in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9   a  is an illustrative diagram showing a mask having a polka-dot pattern; 
         FIG. 9   b  is an instructive diagram illustrating mask translation using the mask of  FIG. 9   a;    
         FIG. 9   c  is an illustrative diagram of a crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 9   a  in the system of  FIG. 1  using the mask translation scheme shown in  FIG. 9   b;    
         FIG. 9   d  is an illustrative diagram of an alternative crystallized silicon film resulting from the use of the mask shown in  FIG. 9   a  in the system of  FIG. 1  using the mask translation scheme shown in  FIG. 9   b ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating the steps implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides techniques for producing uniform large-grained and grain boundary location controlled polycrystalline thin film semiconductors using the sequential lateral solidification process. In order to fully understand those techniques, the sequential lateral solidification process must first be appreciated. 
     The sequential lateral solidification process is a technique for producing large grained silicon structures through small-scale unidirectional translation of a silicon sample in between sequential pulses emitted by an excimer laser. As each pulse is absorbed by the sample, a small area of the sample is caused to melt completely and resolidify laterally into a crystal region produced by the preceding pulses of a pulse set. 
     A particularly advantageous sequential lateral solidification process and an apparatus to carry out that process are disclosed in our co-pending patent application entitled “Systems and Methods using Sequential Lateral Solidification for Producing Single or Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Films at Low Temperatures,” filed concurrently with the present application and assigned to the common assignee, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. While the foregoing disclosure is made with reference to the particular techniques described in our co-pending patent application, it should be understood that other sequential lateral solidification techniques could readily be adapted for use in the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , our co-pending patent application describes as a preferred embodiment a system including excimer laser  110 , energy density modulator  120  to rapidly change the energy density of laser beam  111 , beam attenuator and shutter  130 , optics  140 ,  141 ,  142  and  143 , beam homogenizer  144 , lens system  145 ,  146 ,  148 , masking system  150 , lens system  161 ,  162 ,  163 , incident laser pulse  164 , thin silicon film sample  170 , sample translation stage  180 , granite block  190 , support system  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194 ,  195 ,  196 , and managing computer  100  X and Y direction translation of the silicon sample  170  may be effected by either movement of a mask  210  within masking system  150  or by movement of the sample translation stage  180  under the direction of computer  100 . 
     As described in further detail in our co-pending application, an amorphous silicon thin film sample is processed into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film by generating a plurality of excimer laser pulses of a predetermined fluence, controllably modulating the fluence of the excimer laser pulses, homoginizing the modulated laser pulses in a predetermined plane, masking portions of the homoginized modulated laser pulses into patterned beamlets, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to the beamlets, and controllably translating the sample with respect to the patterned beamlets and with respect to the controlled modulation to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film by sequential translation of the sample relative to the patterned beamlets and irradiation of the sample by patterned beamlets of varying fluence at corresponding sequential locations thereon. The following embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the foregoing processing technique. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2   a  and  b , a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 2   a  illustrates a mask  210  incorporating a pattern of slits  220 . The mask  210  is preferably fabricated from a quartz substrate, and includes either a metallic or dielectric coating which is etched by conventional techniques to form a mask pattern, such as that shown in  FIG. 2   a . Each slit  220  is of a breadth  230  which is chosen in accordance with the necessary dimensionality of the device that will be fabricated on the sample  170  in the particular location that corresponds to the slit  220 . For example, the slits  220  should be approximately 25 micrometers across to fabricate a 25 micrometer semiconductor device, or in the case of a multi-part device, a channel in a device, in sample  170 . The width  240  of the slit  220  is preferably between approximately two and five micrometers in order to be small enough to avoid nucleation in sample  170  and large enough to maximize lateral crystal growth for each excimer pulse. It should be understood that although  FIG. 2   a  illustrates a regular pattern of slits  220 , any pattern of slits could be utilized in accordance with the microstructures desired to be fabricated on film  170 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the sample  170  is translated with respect to the laser pulses  164 , either by movement of masking system  150  or sample translation stage  180 , in order to grow crystal regions in the sample  170 . When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  210  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  250  having crystallized regions  260  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 2   b . The breadth  270  of each crystallized region will be approximately equal to the breadth  230  in the mask  210 . The length  280  of each region will be approximately equal to the distance of Y translation effected by movement of the masking system  150  or translation stage  180 , and as with the breadth, should be chosen in accordance with the final device characteristics. Each crystal region  260  will consist of polysilicon with long and directionally controlled grains. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 3   a  and  b , a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 3   a  illustrates a mask  310  incorporating a pattern of chevrons  320 . The breadth  320  of each chevron side will determine the size of the ultimate single crystal region to be formed in sample  170 . When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  310  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  350  having crystallized regions  360  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 3   b . Each crystal region  360  will consist of a diamond shaped single crystal region  370  and two long grained, directionally controlled polycrystalline silicon regions  380  in the tails of each chevron. 
     While the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  are advantageous to generate spatially separated devices on silicon sample  170 , at least some of the silicon sample  170  is not utilized in the final semiconductor. In order to facilitate a more flexible configuration of devices that can be developed on the semiconductor sample  170 , the following preferred embodiments will now be described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  and  b , a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 4   a  illustrates a mask  410  incorporating a pattern of slits  420 . Each slit  410  should extend as far across on the mask as the homogenized laser beam  149  incident on the mask permits, and must have a width  440  that is sufficiently narrow to prevent any nucleation from taking place in the irradiated region of sample  170 . The width  440  will depend on a number of factors, including the energy density of the incident laser pulse, the duration of the incident laser pulse, the thickness of the silicon thin film sample, and the temperature and conductivity of the silicon substrate. For example, the slit should not be more than 2 micrometers wide when a 500 Angstrom film is to be irradiated at room temperature with a laser pulse of 30 ns and having an energy density that slightly exceeds the complete melt threshold of the sample. 
     When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  410  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  450  having crystallized regions  460  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 4   b . Each crystal region  460  will consist of long grained, directionally controlled crystals  470 . Depending on the periodicity  421  of the masking slits  420  in sample  410 , the length of the grains  470  will be longer or shorter. In order to prevent amorphous silicon regions from being left on sample  170 , the Y translation distance must be smaller than the distance  421  between mask lines, and it is preferred that the translation be at least one micron smaller than this distance  421  to eliminate small crystals that inevitably form at the initial stage of a directionally controlled polycrystalline structure. 
     An especially preferred technique using a mask having a pattern of lines will next be described. Using a mask as shown in  FIG. 4   a  where closely packed mask lines  420  having a width  440  of 4 micrometers are each spaced 2 micrometers apart, the sample  170  is irradiated with one laser pulse. As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the laser pulse will melt regions  510 ,  511 ,  512  on the sample, where each melt region is approximately 4 micrometers wide  520  and is spaced approximately 2 micrometers apart  521 . This first laser pulse will induce the formation of crystal growth in the irradiated regions  510 ,  511 ,  512 , starting from the melt boundaries  530  and proceeding into the melt region, so that polycrystalline silicon  540  forms in the irradiated regions, as shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
     In order to eliminate the numerous small initial crystals  541  that form at the melt boundaries  530 , the sample  170  is translated three micrometers in the Y direction and again irradiated with a single excimer laser pulse. The second irradiation regions  551 ,  552 ,  553  cause the remaining amorphous silicon  542  and initial crystal regions  543  of the polycrystalline silicon  540  to melt, while leaving the central section  545  of the polycrystalline silicon to remain. As shown in  FIG. 5   c , the crystal structure which forms the central section  545  outwardly grows upon solidification of melted regions  542 ,  542 , so that a directionally controlled long grained polycrystalline silicon device is formed on sample  170 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6   a  and  b , a fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 6   a  illustrates a mask  610  incorporating a pattern of diagonal lines  620 . When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  610  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  650  having crystallized regions  660  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 6   b . Each crystal region  660  will consist of long grained, directionally controlled crystals  670 . 
     As with the embodiment described above with respect to  FIGS. 4   a  and  b , the translation distance will depend on the desired crystal length. Also, the process described with reference to  FIGS. 5   a - c  could readily be employed using a mask as shown in  FIG. 6   a , having 4 micrometer wide lines  620  that are each spaced apart by 2 micrometers. This embodiment is especially advantageous in the fabrication of displays or other devices that are oriented with respect to an XY axis, as the polycrystalline structure is not orthogonal to that axis and accordingly, the device performance will be independent of the X or Y coordinates. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 7   a  and  b , a fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 7   a  illustrates a mask  710  incorporating offset sawtooth wave patterns  720 ,  721 . When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  710  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  750  having crystallized regions  760  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 7   b . Each crystal region  760  will consist of a row of hexagonal-rectangular crystals  770 . If the translation distance is slightly greater than the periodicity of the sawtooth pattern, the crystals will be hexagons. This embodiment is beneficial in the generation of larger silicon grains and may increase device performance. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 8   a  and  b , a sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 8   a  illustrates a mask  810  incorporating a diagonal cross pattern  821 ,  822 . When the sample  170  is translated in the Y direction and mask  810  is used in masking system  150 , a processed sample  850  having crystallized regions  860  is produced, as shown in  FIG. 8   b . Each crystal region  860  will consist of a row of diamond shaped crystals  870 . If the translation distance is slightly greater than the periodicity of the pattern, the crystals will be squares. This embodiment is also beneficial in the generation of larger silicon grains and may increase device performance. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 9   a - d , a seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 9   a  illustrates a mask  910  incorporating a polka-dot pattern  920 . The polka-dot mask  910  is an inverted mask, where the polka-dots  920  correspond to masked regions and the remainder of the mask  921  is transparent. In order to fabricate large silicon crystals, the polka-dot pattern may be sequentially translated about the points on the sample  170  where such crystals are desired. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9   b , the polka-dot mask may be translated  931  a short distance in the positive Y direction after a first laser pulse, a short distance in the positive X direction  932  after a second laser pulse, and a short distance in the negative Y direction  933  after a third laser pulse to induce the formation of large crystals. If the separation distance between polka-dots is greater than two times the lateral growth distance, a crystalline structure  950  where crystals  960  separated by small grained polycrystalline silicon regions  961  is generated, as shown in  FIG. 9   c . If the separation distance is less or equal to two times the lateral growth distance so as to avoid nucleation, a crystalline structure  970  where crystals  980  are generated, as shown in  FIG. 9   d.    
     Referring next to  FIG. 10 , the steps executed by computer  100  to control the crystal growth process implemented with respect to  FIG. 9  will be described.  FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating the basic steps implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 . The various electronics of the system shown in  FIG. 1  are initialized  1000  by the computer to initiate the process. A thin silicon film sample is then loaded onto the sample translation stage  1005 . It should be noted that such loading may be either manual or robotically implemented under the control of computer  100 . Next, the sample translation stage is moved into an initial position  1015 , which may include an alignment with respect to reference features on the sample. The various optical components of the system are focused  1020  if necessary. The laser is then stabilized  1025  to a desired energy level and reputation rate, as needed to fully melt the silicon sample in accordance with the particular processing to be carried out. If necessary, the attenuation of the laser pulses is finely adjusted  1030 . 
     Next, the shutter is opened  1035  to expose the sample to a single pulse of irradiation and accordingly, to commence the sequential lateral solidification process. The sample is translated in the X or Y directions  1040  in an amount less than the super lateral grown distance. The shutter is again opened  1045  to expose the sample to a single pulse of irradiation, and the sample is again translated in the X or Y directions  1050  in an amount less than the super lateral growth distance. Of course, if the sample was moved in the X direction in step  1040 , the sample should be moved in the Y direction in Step  1050  in order to create a polka-dot. The sample is then irradiated with a third laser pulse  1055 . The process of sample translation and irradiation  1050 ,  1055  may be repeated  1060  to grow the polka-dot region with four or more laser pulses. 
     Next, if other areas on the sample have been designated for crystallization, the sample is repositioned  1065 ,  1066  and the crystallization process is repeated on the new area. If no further areas have been designated for crystallization, the laser is shut off  1070 , the hardware is shut down  1075 , and the process is completed  1080 . Of course, if processing of additional samples is desired or if the present invention is utilized for batch processing, steps  1005 ,  1010 , and  1035 - 1065  can be repeated on each sample. 
     The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. For example, the thin silicon film sample  170  could be replaced by a sample having pre-patterned islands of silicon film. Also, the line pattern mask could be used to grow polycrystalline silicon using two laser pulses as explained with reference to  FIGS. 5   a - c , then rotated by 90 degrees and used again in the same process to generate an array of square shaped single crystal silicon. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the invention.