A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an insulating film on
its surface, and ac active layer made of a semiconductive thin film on
the substrate surface. The thin film contains a mono-domain region formed
of multiple columnar and/or needle-like crystals parallel to the
substrate surface without including crystal boundaries therein, allowing
the active layer to consist of the mono-domain region only. The
insulating film underlying the active layer has a specific surface
configuration of an intended pattern in profile, including projections or
recesses. To fabricate the active layer, form a silicon oxide film by
sputtering on the substrate. Pattern the silicon oxide film providing the
surface configuration. Form an amorphous silicon film by low pressure CVD
on the silicon oxide film. Retain in the silicon oxide film and/or the
amorphous silicon film certain metallic element for acceleration of
silicon film to a crystalline silicon film. Then, perform a second heat
treatment in the halogen atmosphere forming on the crystalline silicon
film a thermal oxide film containing halogen, whereby the crystalline
silicon film alters to a mono-domain region.