Papers by Keyword: Crystal Shape

Abstract: We report on the stabilization of 15R Silicon Carbide (15R-SiC) grown by seeded sublimation method. It was found that polytype transitions are directly related to the occurrence of facets on the grown crystals. Once a foreign polytype is formed, its propagation is governed mainly by the interface shape of the crystal and its evolution during growth. A concave crystal shape enhances the expansion of foreign polytypes, usually formed at the periphery of the crystal. Then, foreign polytypes can either overlap the original polytypes (constant concave crystal shape) or form inclusions (change to convex crystal shape). On the contrary, an initially slightly convex interface repels foreign polytypes towards the edge of the crystal. The optimization of the growth interface shape can be a key issue towards the stabilization of bulk 15R-SiC crystals.

Abstract: We report on polytype destabilization during bulk crystal growth of Silicon Carbide by seeded sublimation method. Polytype transitions are experimentally obtained and a thermodynamic analysis using classical 2D nucleation theory is used towards the understanding of the experimental results. Whether it is a thin lamella or an inclusion, it is found that the polytype transitions systematically occur on the (0001) facet. This suggests that the polytype switch takes place through classical 2D nucleation at the facet. We will show that two criteria must be fulfilled for the occurrence of a foreign polytype: i) minimization of nucleation energy and ii) presence of a facet. This is directly depending on the crystal shape (convex or concave) and its evolution with growth time.

Abstract: Graphite crucible in seeded sublimation growth of Silicon Carbide (SiC) single crystal does not only act as a container but also as an additional carbon source. The modeling of the growth process integrated with the etching phenomenon caused by the interaction between vapor species and the graphite crucible is shown to be able to predict the shape of the crystal front during the growth. The additional fluxes produced at the graphite part are delivered to the growing crystal mainly at the crystal periphery. The results obtained from the modeling are in good agreement with the experimental ones.