Method for forming crystalline semiconductor layers, a method for fabricating thin film transistors, and a method for fabricating solar cells and active matrix liquid crystal devices

摘要

A crystalline semiconductor layer can be formed by forming a semiconductor film on an inexpensive conventional substrate. Next, perform a first annealing process in which nearly the entire surface of the semiconductor film is exposed to laser irradiation or other forms of irradiation, and then perform a second annealing process consisting of rapid thermal annealing. This enables the formation of a high quality crystalline semiconductor film with high throughput but without subjecting the substrate to undue thermal stress. When this invention is applied to thin film transistors, good transistors having high performance are easily fabricated. When this invention is applied to solar cells, energy conversion efficiency is increased.