Papers by Author: S.M. Liu

Abstract: In this paper we have characterized the performance of a vertical metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor used for deposition of ZnO thin films. The equations of the mathematical model are solved numerically using a control-volume-based finite difference method. A two-dimensional model is put forward to study the dependence of the growth rate on the inlet flow rate and susceptor temperature. The mass-fraction distribution of the reactants has been studied as a function of the position above the substrate, which shows that gas phase pre-reaction in our reactor is well confined. The simulation results are useful for the practical growth of ZnO.

Abstract: The morphology evolution of ZnO films grown on sapphire (0001) by MOCVD have been studied as a function of buffer growth time and temperature by means of atomic-force microscope (AFM), x-ray diffractions (XRD) and optical microscopy. When the buffer growth temperature decreased to 450°C, the surface became smooth greatly, indicating the transition from typical 3D island growth to quasi-2D growth mode. As the buffer growth time exceeds 5min, the micron-sized pit-like features are formed. It is due to the lack of stabilization of adatoms under the “etching” action of ionized O2/Ar during high temperature buffer annealing