The feasibility of using Cu/ CuMg as a source/drain metal for the island-in amorphous silicon thin film transistors ͑a-Si: H TFTs͒ has been investigated. The issue of adhesion between the Cu film and n +a-Si layer has been overcome by introducing the Cu/ CuMg alloy. Furthermore, the suppression of Schottky leakage current in metal/a-Si: H structure was also observed in the island-in a-Si: H TFT. The island-in a-Si: H TFT exhibited the mobility of 0.52 cm 2 / V s, the subthreshold slope of 0.78 V / decade, and the V th of 3.02 V. The experimental result also showed superior performance of the a-Si: H TFT with minimal loss of critical dimension and good thermal stability.