Papers by Author: Giovanni Isella

Abstract: Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon for photovoltaic applications has been investigated. Morphological properties, as well as electrical properties, have been investigated with high spatial resolution by scanning force microscopy analyses (AFM, Atomic Force Microscopy and C-AFM conductive AFM). A major problem regarding the electronic properties is to understand where the current flows. The present contribution aims to clarify which of the material phases mainly contributes to the conduction mechanism.

Abstract: The knowledge and control of the structural and morphological properties of nanocrystalline silicon is a fundamental requisite for its proper application in photovoltaics. To this purpose, nanocrystalline silicon films grown by Low Energy Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (LEPECVD) technique on different kinds of substrates were submitted to a systematic characterization using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results showed that the nature of the film substrate induces deep changes in the structural properties of the deposited films. The importance of a Raman in–depth analysis for an accurate determination of the sample structure has been also demonstrated.