Papers by Author: Xuan Zhang

Abstract: Basal plane dislocations (BPDs) converting to threading edge dislocations (TEDs) has been observed in 4H-SiC epilayers after thermal annealing at high temperatures. Grazing incidence reflection synchrotron X-ray topography was used to investigate the dislocation behaviors. It is argued that the conversion is achieved by constricted BPD segments cross-slipping to the prismatic plane and TED glide on its slip plane. Higher conversion ratio and better surface morphology were achieved by performing ion implantation and annealing before epitaxial growth.

Abstract: Morphologies of basal plane dislocations (BPDs) in 4H-SiC epilayers doped with nitrogen or aluminum are explained in detail. While BPDs in low N-doped or Al-doped epilayers show the morphology of gliding dislocations responding to stresses, BPDs in highly N-doped (≥1.0×10¹⁸ cm^-3) epilayers appear different. Some of them are parallel to [11-20] while others are straight and tilt from [11-20]. Tilt BPDs were also studied by TEM. Factors that relate to such morphology are discussed.

Abstract: Frank-type defects on a basal plane have been investigated using photoluminescence (PL) imaging microscopy and wavelength profile measurement. A wide range of emission in the near-infrared wavelength was observed from a Frank partial dislocation at the edge of the defect, while a narrow emission at around the visible light range was obtained from a stacking fault region. The emissions from a stacking fault region of three kinds of basal plane Frank-type defects were confirmed to have different wavelengths depending on their stacking structures.

Abstract: Morphologies of BPDs in 4H-SiC epilayers with different nitrogen doping concentrations are explained in detail. While BPDs in low-doped epilayers have the typical morphology of gliding dislocations responding to stress, BPDs in highly doped ([N]≥1.0×10¹⁸ cm^-3) epilayers are straight and tilt away from [11-20]. Structures of BPDs are further studied by weak-beam TEM.

Abstract: Thermal annealing experiments were performed to determine the critical conditions of misfit dislocation formation in 4H-SiC epilayers in a temperature range of 1400-1800 °C. Misfit dislocations were observed to form at a given annealing temperature if the temperature gradient across the epi-wafer exceeded a critical value. It was also found that two types of interfacial dislocations could form under different stress conditions. Their formation mechanisms are discussed.

Abstract: Frank-type defects on the basal plane in thick 4H-SiC epitaxial layers converted from threading screw dislocation (TSD) have been characterized by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and PL imaging microscopy. PL emission from the stacking fault (SF) and the Frank partial of the defect was obtained at ~457 nm and >700 nm at room temperature, respectively. The PL emission peaks of two other kinds of Frank-type defects were obtained, and a correspondence between the optical properties and the microscopic structures of the three kinds of defects was clarified.

Abstract: Interfacial dislocations are frequently observed to form during 4H-SiC epitaxy and thermal annealing. This report attempts to establish the correlation between the distribution of interfacial dislocations and the thermal stress induced by a radial temperature gradient. In addition, it is argued that they are misfit dislocations formed by the interaction between thermal strain and misfit strain.