Abstract
The deformation behavior of self-ion-implanted amorphous-Si (a-Si) has been studied using spherical nanoindentation in both relaxed (annealed) and unrelaxed (as-implanted) a-Si. Interestingly, phase transformations were clearly observed in the relaxed state, with the load-unload curves from these samples displaying characteristic discontinuities and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images indicating the presence of high-pressure crystalline phases Si-III and Si-XII following pressure release. Thus, an amorphous to crystalline phase transformation has been induced by indentation at room temperature. In contrast, no evidence of a phase transformation was observed in unrelaxed a-Si, which appeared to deform via plastic flow of the amorphous phase. Furthermore, in situ electrical measurements clearly indicate the presence of a metallic Si phase during loading of relaxed a-Si but no such behavior was observed for unrelaxed a-Si
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5559-5561 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue number | 23 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 6 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |