Papers by Author: René A. Stein

Abstract: In this paper, we present first results of epitaxial layer deposition using a novel warm-wall CVD multi-wafer system AIX 2800G4 WW from AIXTRON with a capability of processing 10x100mm wafers per run. Intra-wafer and wafer-to-wafer homogeneities of doping and thickness for full-loaded 10x100mm runs will be shown and compared to results of the 6x100mm setup of our hot-wall reactor VP2000HW by AIXTRON used for device production since 2001.

Abstract: In this paper, we present results of epitaxial layer deposition for production needs using our hot-wall CVD multi-wafer system VP2000HW from Epigress with a capability of processing 7×3” or 6×100mm wafers per run in a new 100mm setup. Intra-wafer and wafer-to-wafer homogeneities of doping and thickness for full-loaded 6×100mm and 7×3” runs will be shown. Results on Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBD) processed in the multi-wafer system will be given. Furthermore, we show results for n- and p-type SiC homoepitaxial growth on 3”, 4° off-oriented substrates using a single-wafer hot-wall reactor VP508GFR from Epigress for the development of PiN-diodes with blocking voltages above 6.5 kV. Characteristics of n- and p-type epilayers and doping memory effects are discussed. 6.5 kV PiN-diodes were fabricated and electrically characterized. Results on reverse blocking behaviour, forward characteristics and drift stability will be presented.

Abstract: Epitaxial layers have been grown on the (0001) C-face of 2- and 3-inch 4H-SiC wafers. Growth conditions like temperature, pressure, and C/Si ratio have been varied. In both systems smooth surface morphologies could be obtained. The main challenge of epitaxial growth on the Cface of 4H-SiC for electronic device applications seems to be the control of low doping concentration. High temperature and low pressure are the key parameters to reduce the nitrogen incorporation. The hot-wall CVD system used for these experiments allowed the application of higher temperatures and lower pressures than the cold-wall equipment. The lowest doping concentration of 2.5x1015 cm-3 has been achieved by hot-wall epitaxy using a temperature of 1625 °C, a system pressure of 50 hPa, a C/Si ratio of 1.4, and a growth rate of 6.5 2mh-1. Good doping homogeneity on 2-inch and 3-inch wafers could be achieved. For a doping level of ND-NA= 3×1015 cm-3 sigma is about 15%.

Abstract: The rapid market development for SiC-devices during the last years can be attributed particularly to the success in supplying high-quality SiC wafers and corresponding epitaxial layers. The device quality could be enhanced and the costs were reduced by enlarging the wafer size as well as by a significant progress in epitaxial growth of active layers by using multi-wafer CVD systems. In this paper we want to give an overview of CVD multi-wafer systems used for SiC growth in the past and today. We present recent results of SiC homoepitaxial growth using our multi-wafer hot-wall CVD system. This equipment exhibits a capacity of 5×3” wafers per run and can be upgraded to a 7×3” or 5×4” setup. By optimizing the process conditions epitaxial layers with excellent crystal quality, purity and homogeneity of doping and thickness have been grown. Issues like reproducibility, drift of parameters and system stability over several runs will be discussed.