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The ratio of Si-H2 bonds to hydrogen content in hydrogenated amorphous silicon films, prepared by mercury-sensitized photochemical vapor deposition, depends on the deposition conditions, in particular on the distance between the substrate and the light-transparent window.The ratio is reduced from 20 % to 8 % by decreasing the distance from 30 mm to 8 mm. On the other hand, the hydrogen content remains constant at 15 at.%. Decreasing the distance has been found to be almost equivalent to increasing the light intensity, especially 254 nm-light intensity.

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films were prepared by mercury photosensitized decomposition of silane using a low-pressure mercury lamp. The deposition rate showed an activation type for substrate temperature (the activation energy: 0.13 eV), because the deposition rate would be determined by the rate of hydrogen elimination from the hydrogen saturated surface. Moreover, the relationship was found between the Si-H2 bond density in a- Si:H films and the gas phase reactions.