A method for forming a semiconductor device including a semiconductor
layer, formed of a silicon-based deposited film containing crystals by
plasma-enhanced CVD, includes the steps of applying a bias voltage
between a high-frequency electrode and a substrate with the
high-frequency electrode being negative when the semiconductor layer is
formed; detecting sparks occurring on the high-frequency electrode or the
substrate; and controlling at least one condition, selected from the
group consisting of high-frequency power, bias voltage, bias current,
pressure, gas flow rate, and interelectrode distance, based on the
results of the detection so that the number of sparks with durations of
100 ms or more is 1 or less sparks per minute.