Patent ID: 7776724

Claim:
A method of forming a densified nanoparticle thin film, comprising: positioning a substrate in a first chamber; depositing a nanoparticle ink, the nanoparticle ink including a set of Group IV semiconductor particles and a solvent; heating the nanoparticle ink to a first temperature between about 30° C. and about 300° C., and for a first time period between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes, wherein the solvent is substantially removed, and a porous compact is formed; positioning the substrate in a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure of between about 1×10 −7 Torr and about 1×10 −4 Torr; depositing on the porous compact a dielectric material; and positioning the substrate in a third chamber, after the depositing the dielectric material; wherein the densified nanoparticle thin film is formed.