Hydrogenated and phosphorus-doped amorphous silicon carbonitride films (a-SiCxNy:H(n)) were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on crystalline silicon surface in order to explore surface passivation properties. Very silicon-rich films yielded effective surface recombination velocities at 1 sun-illumination as low as 3¿cm¿s-1 and 2¿cm¿s-1 on 1¿O¿cm p- and n-type crystalline silicon substrates, respectively. In order to use them as anti-reflection coating, we increased alternatively either the carbon or nitrogen content of these films. Also, a combination of passivation and antireflective films was analyzed. Finally, we explored the passivation stability under high-temperature steps.

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