Papers by Keyword: HTCVD

Abstract: In order to increase productivity and reduce the cost of wafers, we have developed a high temperature chemical vapor deposition (HTCVD) method that can realize the high-speed growth of 4H-SiC crystals. Tokuda et al. reported an interesting study in which the carrier lifetime of a substrate grown by HTCVD (HTCVD substrate) was considerably shorter than that of the substrate grown by physical vapor transport (PVT); moreover, bipolar degradation was highly suppressed when the HTCVD substrate was applied to PiN diodes [1]. Herein, we demonstrate that the short carrier lifetime of the HTCVD substrate is mainly attributable to the carbon vacancy (V_C) and that V_C particularly diffuses from the HTCVD substrate to the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: To reduce manufacturing costs, high-quality 150 mm 4H-SiC wafers were grown at over 1.5 mm/h by high-temperature chemical vapor deposition. The dislocations in the initial growth stage did not increase compared with those in the seed crystal. The dislocation densities decreased during crystal growth, and the densities of threading dislocations and basal plane dislocations at the growth thickness of 7.1 mm were 1186 and 211 /cm², respectively. The resolved shear stress, which is the cause of the increase in dislocations during growth, was calculated based on thermal fluid simulations; the shear stress of the grown crystal with a flat surface was small compared with that of the convex-shaped crystal. The dislocations did not increase likely because the crystals grown at high speeds were relatively flat. In addition, the decrease in dislocations was attributed to the frequent annihilation of dislocations due to the growth at a high temperature (2490 °C).

Abstract: The process conditions for fast growth of 4 in. 4H-polytype SiC (4H-SiC) single crystals were studied for high-temperature gas source method. Prior to experiments, crystal growth simulations were conducted to investigate the influence of vertical gas-flow velocity on the radial distribution of the growth rate. Crystal growth experiments were performed using the crucibles designed for 4 in. crystal growth following the simulation studies. By investigating growth rate as functions of the input partial pressure of source gases and temperatures of growing surfaces, expressions for the growth rate of 4-in. crystals were derived. We also clarified the optimal conditions for single-crystal growth. Finally, fast growth of 4 in. 4H-SiC crystals with uniform shape was demonstrated.

Abstract: In order to diffuse the use of SiC, mass-production technologies of SiC wafers are needed. It is easy to be understood that high-speed and long-sized growth technologies are connected directly with mass-production technologies. The gas source growth method such as HT-CVD has the possibilities and the potential of the high-speed and long-sized growth. In this article, it was clarified that the high growth rate were achieved by the control of the source gas partial pressures and by the gas boundary layers. The average growth rate was 1mm/h on the f4 inch-diameter crystal, and the maximum growth rate reached 3.6 mm/h on the 12.5x25 mm tetragon by the above gas control. The crystal qualities of the gas source methods were also evaluated the equivalent level in comparison with the sublimation method. Concerning the 1mm/h-growth f3 inch crystal, the densities of TSDs were kept in the 10² cm^-2 levels from the seed to the upper-side of the ingot. Moreover, the ingot size increased year by year and a f4 inch x 43 mm sized ingot has been developed.

Abstract: Limitations in the very fast growth of 4H-SiC crystals are surveyed for a high-temperature gas source method. The evolution of macro-step bunching and void formation in crystal growth is investigated by changing the partial pressures of the source gases and crystal rotation speeds. The variation in macro-step formation depending on radial positions, where step-flow or spiral growth governs, of a grown crystal is also revealed. Based on the relation between growth conditions and macro-step bunching, a trade-off between growth rate enhancement and crystal quality and a method to improve such trade-off are discussed. Nitrogen at a high concentration under very high growth rates in the high-temperature gas source method is also investigated.

Abstract: This article gives the results of crystal growth by a High-Temperature Gas Source Method such as HTCVD. It was reported that clusters were formed and were an important factor of the growth in HTCVDs, and some influences of them were investigated. The difference between the model with and without clustering was compared. The experimental growth rates corresponded to the cluster model, and this indicated that clusters affect the crystal growth. Relations between the experimental growth rate and the growth temperature as a function of gas flow ratio were investigated. The gas flow ratio was defined: (SiH₄+C₃H₈) / (SiH₄+C₃H₈+H₂). Maximum growth rate was 2.3mm/h under high source gas ratio. At present, a Φ75mm×54mm sized ingot has been developed.

Abstract: Possibilities of very fast 4H-SiC crystal growth using a high-temperature gas source method are surveyed by computational simulation and experimental studies. The temperature range suitable to obtain high growth rates are investigated by simulating temperature dependences of growth rates for H₂+SiH₄+C₃H₈ and H₂ +SiH₄+C₃H₈+HCl gas systems. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that an increase in source gas flow rates as well as gas-flow velocities enhance growth rates. High growth rates exceeding 1 mm/h are experimentally obtained using both gas systems. Single crystal growth on a 3-inch diameter seed crystal is also demonstrated.

Abstract: This paper reports on evidence of high-quality and very fast 4H-SiC crystal growth achieved using a high-temperature gas source method. The formation of threading screw dislocations (TSDs) during crystal growth was examined by comparing synchrotron X-ray topography images taken for a seed and grown crystals, while the generation of a high density of new TSDs is observed under improper growth condition. High-quality crystal growth retaining the TSD density of the seed crystal was accomplished under an improved condition, even for a very high growth rate of 2.1 mm/h.

Abstract: Our latest results of SiC bulk growth by High-Temperature Gas Source Method　are given in this paper. Based on Mullins-Sekerka instability, optimal growth conditions to preclude dendrite crystals, which are one of the pending issues for high-speed bulk growth, was studied. First, the simulation studies showed that high temperature gradient in a growing crystal is required for high-speed bulk growth without dendrite crystals. Second, high-speed bulk growth was demonstrated under high temperature gradient.

Abstract: In order to achieve AlN bulk growth, HTCVD chlorinated process is investigated. High growth rate and high crystalline quality are targeted for AlN films grown on (0001) 4H SiC at 1750°C. The precursors used are ammonia NH3 and aluminium chlorides AlClx species formed in situ by action of Cl2 on high purity Al wire. Influences of N/Al ratio in the gas phase on growth rate, crystalline state and microstructure are presented. Growth rates of up to 200 µm/h have been reached for polycrystalline layers. Thermodynamic calculations were carried out and correlated to the experimental results. As-grown AlN layers were characterized by SEM and X-ray Diffraction. Surface morphology is studied by SEM and FEG-SEM and crystallographic orientations were obtained by X-ray diffraction on θ/2θ.