For a long time the rather low doping efficiency of P and B in $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}$ has been explained by the argument that almost all of both is incorporated into threefold-coordinated sites, and that both are inert or nondoping in this configuration. Recently, using ab initio molecular dynamics, the energetics and electronic structure (doping) consequences of B incorporation into $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}$ both with and without H passivation were studied. This work showed that the conventional view was in error and that the low doping efficiency in B is primarily due to H passivation. In this paper we similarly study P incorporation on $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}$ both with and without passivation. We obtain quantitative results on the energetics and electronic structure of P atoms in $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}.$ In this case, the results do support the conventional view. Thus P and B act very differently in $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}.$ However, we also find that the P-H complexes that passivate P in crystalline Si are not even metastable in $a-\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}.$

• Received 15 April 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.58.7020