Study and optimization of the photoluminescence of amorphous silicon carbide thin films

In this work we report the study of the effect of the deposition parameters on the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of hydrogenated amorphous silicon-carbide (a-SiC:H) films deposited at very low temperature (150 °C) by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD). We have observed that the main deposition parameter that influences the wavelength emission peak is the methane/silane (CH4/SiH4) ratio used for the films deposition, due to a change on the film carbon content. On the other hand the deposition RF power affects the PL intensity, without a change in the PL emission peak. Also we have studied the effect of the film thickness on the PL intensity and we have observed an optimal film thickness.