Polarization-dependent laser crystallization of Se-containing amorphous chalcogenide films

We report about the observation of influence of the light polarization on the photocrystallization process in the Se70Ag15I15, elementary Se and Se80Te20 films. Irradiation with linearly polarized He–Ne and Arq laser light results in the formation of polycrystalline films with strong optical anisotropy dichroism., the sign of which is determined by the direction of the electrical vector of light. In the laser-crystallized Se80Te20 films we observed also the anisotropy of the photoconductivity. The results obtained indicate that the laser-induced crystallization has a nonthermal character. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved