Effect of CF4 Plasma on Properties and Reliability of Metal-Induced Lateral Crystallization Silicon Transistors

Abstract

In this study, a CF4 plasma etching treatment was applied to metal-induced lateral crystallization (MILC) polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors (poly-Si TFTs). It was found that the electrical properties and reliability of the MILC poly-Si TFTs were improved by the treatment. The minimum off-state currents were also reduced. This is because this etching method involves not only passivating the trap states but also etching away the Ni-related defects on the top surface of MILC poly-Si.