TEM studies on the formation of nano crystallites of Si by metal induced crystallization

In the present investigations, we have grown the nano-crystallites of Si by metal induced crystallization process. Layers of two different metals (Al and Au) were deposited on either side of Si using thermal evaporation technique to study metal induced crystallization. Annealing of such samples was carried out in the hot stage of TEM. We have found that the crystallization of amorphous silicon starts at 150 °C through the formation of metal silicides. Formation of metal silicides was observed through selected area diffraction. Nearly complete formation of nano crystallites of Si throughout the sample was observed at 200 °C. High-resolution TEM studies confirm the formation of nano-crystallites of Si all along the film.