

Moreover, not all the atoms within amorphous silicon are fourfold coordinated. Rather, the atoms form a continuous random network. In amorphous silicon this long range order is not present. In crystalline silicon (c-Si) this tetrahedral structure continues over a large range, thus forming a well-ordered crystal lattice. Silicon is a fourfold coordinated atom that is normally tetrahedrally bonded to four neighboring silicon atoms.

6.2 Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display.6.1.3 Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors.6.1.1 Microcrystalline and micromorphous silicon.Amorphous silicon is a preferred material for the thin film transistor (TFT) elements of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and for x-ray imagers.Īmorphous silicon differs from other allotropic variations, such as monocrystalline silicon-a single crystal, and polycrystalline silicon, that consists of small grains, also known as crystallites. Amorphous silicon cells generally feature low efficiency.Īs a second-generation thin-film solar cell technology, amorphous silicon was once expected to become a major contributor in the fast-growing worldwide photovoltaic market, but has since lost its significance due to strong competition from conventional crystalline silicon cells and other thin-film technologies such as CdTe and CIGS. Used as semiconductor material for a-Si solar cells, or thin-film silicon solar cells, it is deposited in thin films onto a variety of flexible substrates, such as glass, metal and plastic. Solar calculator with amorphous solar cell (upper right corner) and LCDs.Īmorphous silicon ( a-Si) is the non- crystalline form of silicon used for solar cells and thin-film transistors in LCDs.Schematic structures of crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and amorphous hydrogenated silicon.Thin-film silicon solar panels on rooftop.
