Explosive crystallization of <i>a</i>-Si films in both the solid and liquid phases

Abstract

In this letter, we show that explosive crystallization can occur sequentially along the same laser scan line either from the liquid phase or in the solid phase. Which phase dominates depends on the laser scan speed, the proximity of the a-Si melting isotherm, and the magnitude of the ’’thermal kick’’ provided by fluctuations in laser power or at localized regions of higher absorption.