Abstract: A cyano process of introducing cyano ions (CN−) into an amorphous silicon layer is performed after the amorphous silicon layer has been formed over a substrate or after the layer has been exposed to light. For example, the substrate is immersed in an aqueous solution containing potassium cyanide (KCN) in a vessel. The cyano process eliminates factors (e.g., weak bonds, defects, and centers of recombination) of decrease in photoconductivity of the as-deposited amorphous silicon thin film, which are identifiable in the as-deposited film. As a result, the photoconductivity of the amorphous silicon layer is already higher than usual from the beginning and will hardly decrease even upon exposure to light.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for forming an insulating film on the surface of a semiconductor substrate capable of improving the quality and electrical properties of the insulating film with no employment of high-temperature heating and with good controllability. After the surface of a silicon substrate is cleaned, a silicon dioxide film having a thickness of 1-20 nm is formed on the substrate surface. The silicon substrate is exposed to plasma generated by electron impact, while the silicon substrate is maintained at a temperature of 0° C. to 700° C. Thus, nitrogen atoms are incorporated into the silicon dioxide film, obtaining a modified insulating film having good electrical properties.

Abstract: The semiconductor of the present invention comprises at least an oxide film and a metal thin film on the surface of the semiconductor. The metal thin film includes a metal serving as an oxidation catalyst and has a thickness in the range of 0.5-30 nm. The oxide film comprises a metal serving as an oxidation catalyst and having a thickness in the range of 1-20 nm. Thus, a high-quality oxide film can be formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate with high controllability without conducting a high temperature heat treatment. The invention employs the method of manufacturing the semiconductor has a steps of forming the first oxidation film having thickness in the range of 0.1-2.5 nm on the semiconductor substrate; forming the metal thin film (for example platinum film) serving as an oxide catalyst to the thickness in the range of 0.5-30 nm on the first oxide thin film; and then forming the second oxide film by heat treating in an oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures from 25 to 600° C.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The surface of each semiconductor substrate is exposed to cyanide ions (CN.sup.-) in order to reduce the density of interface states at the insulating film/semiconductor interface. For this purpose, the semiconductor substrate is immersed into a cyan compound solution or is exposed to a cyan compound gas, so that cyanide ions (CN.sup.-) are bonded to dangling bonds at the surface of the semiconductor substrates. As a result, the interface states at the insulating film/semiconductor interface can be reduced.

Abstract: In a method of trapping ions in a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxy-nitride film, silicon or silicon nitride as an electrode is first immersed in a nonaqueous solvent containing an electrolyte. Then, a voltage is applied between the electrode and a counter electrode so as to oxidize the surface of the silicon or silicon nitride to form a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxy-nitride film. At the same time, the ions contained in the electrolyte are caused to permeate into the silicon oxide film or the silicon oxy-nitride film and trapped therein. The method is thus capable of trapping ions in a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxy-nitride film for a short time without using any evaporation apparatus and of shifting the flat band potential of the silicon.