The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Hirohito Watanabe, Tokyo, JP;
Ichiro Honma, Tokyo, JP;
Assignee:
NEC Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
438488 ; 438482 ; 438486 ; 438489 ; 438442 ; 438481 ; 438488 ;
Abstract
A method of forming a silicon layer disclosed herein includes the steps of depositing an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate, irradiating a silane gas to the substrate, and performing an annealing process in a high vacuum or in an inert gas. The amorphous silicon layer is thereby converted into a silicon layer having an uneven surface caused by hemispherical or spherical silicon grains. The annealing process may be performed while irradiating a hydrogen gas or an oxidizing gas. In this case, such a silicon layer that has an even surface is formed.