Papers by Author: Nobuhiro Okada

Abstract: In this study, we have investigated the rate-limiting process of 4H-SiC solution growth using Si-Cr based melt, and have tried high-speed growth. It is revealed that the rate-limiting process of SiC growth under our experimental condition is interface kinetics, which can be controlled by such factors as temperature and supersaturation of carbon. By enhancing the interface kinetics, SiC crystal has been grown at a high rate of 2 mm/h. The FWHM values of X-ray rocking curves and threading dislocation density of the grown crystals are almost the same as those of seed crystal. Possibility of high-speed and high-quality growth of 4H-SiC has been indicated.

Abstract: 4H-SiC single crystal with 3-inch diameter was grown by top seeded solution growth (TSSG) technique. We used a new convection control member called “Immersion Guide (IG)” which causes the high and homogenous fluid flow in the solution. As a result, we achieved relatively high growth rate and morphological stability

Abstract: Crystallinity of 4H-SiC bulk crystal obtained by solution growth technique was characterized mainly by KOH etching of the off-ground and serially ground specimen. Marked reduction of basal plane dislocation, threading edge and screw dislocations during the growth of on-axis crystal was confirmed. Cross-sectional TEM observation revealed the rapid reduction behavior of threading dislocations microscopically. AFM observation of as-grown morphology showed that screw dislocation dipoles is related to the reduction of threading screw dislocations and single domain formation, which is essential for establishing the high crystallinity.

Abstract: We attempted the traveling solvent method (TSM) growth of SiC on 6H-SiC(0001) substrates using Si and Si-M (M=Ti, Cr and Dy) solvents at growth temperatures of 1500-1800°C. It was confirmed that 4H-SiC polytype was extremely stabilized in the highly carbon dissolved liquid phase. 4H-SiC growth on 6H-SiC, i.e. hetropolytype epitaxial growth, was observed only from Si-Dy solvent. The Dy content above 60at% was necessary to obtain 100% 4H-SiC polytype.

Abstract: Solution growth of 6H-SiC single crystal from Si-Ti-C ternary solution using the accelerated crucible rotation technique (ACRT) was performed. The SiC growth rate exceeding 200 μm/hr was achieved in several ACRT conditions. Such a high growth rate can be ascribed to the enhancement of the carbon transport from the graphite crucible to the growth interface due to the use of the ACRT. The incorporation of inclusions of Si-Ti solvent in the grown SiC crystal was also significantly suppressed by using the ACRT. The intensive convection near the growth interface induced by the ACRT resulted in not only the marked increase of SiC growth rate but also the superior homogeneity in the surface morphology. It was concluded that faster stable growth could be accomplished in the SiC solution growth using the ACRT. The obtained SiC self-standing crystal exhibited homogeneous green colour without cracks and inclusions. We investigated the crystalline quality of the grown SiC crystal by means of X-ray diffraction. The, ω-scan rocking curves of (0006) reflection measured by X-ray diffraction provided the FWHM of 15-20 arc-second showing the excellent crystallinity of the solution grown 6H-SiC single crystal.

Abstract: We performed solution growth of SiC single crystals from Si-Ti-C ternary solution using the accelerated crucible rotation technique (ACRT). It was confirmed that the growth rate exceeding 200 μm/hr was achievable by several ACRT conditions. This high growth rate might be due to the enhancement of the carbon transport from the graphite crucible to the growth interface using the ACRT. Moreover, the incorporation of inclusions of the Si-Ti solvent in the grown crystal was significantly suppressed by using the ACRT. It was thought that the intensive convection near the growth interface resulted in not only the marked increase of SiC growth rate but also the superior homogeneity in the surface morphology. It was concluded that faster stable growth can be accomplished in the SiC solution growth using the ACRT.