ABSTRACT
We have fabricated porous plasma polymerized SiCOH (ppSiCOH) films with low-dielectric constants (low-k, less than 2.9), by applying dual radio frequency plasma in inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) system. We varied the power of the low radio frequency (LF) of 370 kHz from 0 to 65 W, while fixing the power of the radio frequency (RF) of 13.56 MHz. Although the ppSiCOH thin film without LF had the lowest k value, its mechanical strength is not high to stand the subsequent semiconductor processing. As the power of the LF was increased, the densities of ppSiCOH films became high, accordingly high in the hardness and elastic modulus, with quite satisfactory low-k value of 2.87. Especially, the ppSiCOH film, deposited at 35 W, exhibited the highest mechanical strength (hardness: 1.7 GPa, and elastic modulus: 9.7 GPa), which was explained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Since the low-k material is widely used as an inter-layer dielectric insulator, good mechanical properties are required to withstand chemical mechanical polishing damage. Therefore, we suggest that plasma polymerized process based on the dual frequency can be a good candidate for the deposition of low-k ppSiCOH films with enhanced mechanical strength.
ABSTRACT
Four organic solar cell (OSC) devices with the bilayer heterojunction architecture were investigated, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were doped within the acceptor layer. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CNT-incorporated device with a concentration of 0.004 wt% is approximately 20% point higher than that of the reference one. As the concentration of CNTs became higher, the PCE of the devices deteriorated; this could be caused by the percolative connection of CNTs within the layer. The voltage dependence on the effective lifetime of the charge carriers, determined by Cole-Cole curves of the impedance analysis, was different for the reference and CNT-incorporating devices-the lifetime of the CNT-incorporated ones was shorter, possibly owing to the high local electric field near the CNTs. Controlling the concentration of CNTs below the critical concentration of percolation is a key factor in achieving high photovoltaic performance.
ABSTRACT
Flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) were fabricated on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate and were subjected to bending tests with various bending radii. We observed that the photovoltaic properties of the OSCs precipitously deteriorated at a bending radius ≤ 0.75 cm. In order to investigate the effects of the bending test, the changes in the surface morphology and the sheet resistance of the ITO-coated PET samples were investigated, and the photovoltaic properties of bent and unbent OSCs were evaluated. Thereafter, equivalent circuits for the OSCs were assumed and the change in their parameters, such as resistance and capacitance, was observed.
ABSTRACT
The spin population difference between m(s) = 1/2 and - 1/2, (malpha - mbeta)(t) of the hydrogen atoms dissociated from the mercury hydride molecules is calculated as a function of time for the reaction of Hg* + H2 in a magnetic field. Starting from zero value, the population difference increases to a certain limit that is equal to the room temperature population difference. The H/D electron spin resonance (ESR) signal ratio obtained from the isotopic experiment, Hg* + H2/D2, is also explained by comparing the ratio of (malpha - mbeta)H(t) and (malpha - mbeta)D(t). The isotopic effect is interpreted to originate mostly from spin-rotation constant energies of mercury hydride molecules.
