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Type: 
Journal
Description: 
SiGeO films have been produced by a sol–gel derived approach and by magnetron sputtering deposition. Post-thermal annealing of SiGeO films in forming gas or nitrogen atmosphere between 600 and 900 °C ensured the phase separation of the SiGeO films and synthesis and growth of Ge nanoclusters (NCs) embedded in SiO2. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry analysis evidenced a similar Ge concentration (~12 %), but a different Ge out-diffusion after annealing between the two types of techniques with the formation of a pure SiO2 surface layer (~30 nm thick) in sol–gel samples. The thermal evolution of Ge NCs has been followed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman analysis. In both samples, Ge NCs form with similar size increase (from ~3 up to ~7 nm) and with a concomitant amorphous to crystalline transition in the 600–800 °C temperature range. Despite a similar Ge concentration …
Publisher: 
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date: 
1 Jul 2014
Authors: 

S Cosentino, S Knebel, S Mirabella, S Gibilisco, F Simone, H Bracht, G Wilde, A Terrasi

Biblio References: 
Volume: 116 Issue: 1 Pages: 233-241
Origin: 
Applied Physics A