Papers by Keyword: Interface States (or Traps)

Abstract: This work is focusing on the effect of a high concentration of nitrogen (N) introduced by ion implantation at the SiO2/4H-SiC interface in MOS capacitors. The N implanted sample (Ninterface ~1x1019cm-3) is compared with a non-implanted one (Ninterface ~1x1016cm-3) by means of the electron interface trap density (Dit). The Dit is determined via High-Low frequency C-V method and Thermal Dielectric Relaxation Current (TDRC) technique. It is shown that the TDRC method, mainly used so far for determination of near interface oxide charges, can be exploited to gain information about the Dit too. The determined value of Dit in the N-implanted sample is nearly one order of magnitude lower than that in the sample without N implantation. Good agreement between the TDRC results and those obtained from High-Low frequency C-V measurements is obtained. Furthermore, the TDRC method shows a high accuracy and resolution of Dit evaluation in the region close to the majority carrier band edge and gives information about the traps located into the oxide.

Abstract: We propose a treatment combining nitrogen plasma exposure and forming gas annealing (FGA) to improve the electrical properties of SiO2/SiC interfaces. Although conventional FGA at 450°C alone is not effective for reducing interface traps and fixed charges, our combination treatment effectively reduces both even at moderate temperatures. We achieved further improvement by applying our treatment at higher (over 900°C) FGA temperatures, including lower interface state density (Dit) values for both deep and shallow energy levels (1 - 4 x 1011 cm-2eV-1). Considering that nitrogen incorporation promotes hydrogen passivation of interface defects, a possible mechanism for the improved electrical properties is that interface nitridation eliminates carbon clusters or Si-O-C bonds, which leads to the formation of simple Si and C dangling bonds that can be readily terminated by hydrogen. We therefore believe that our treatment is a promising method for improving the performance of SiC-based MOS devices.

Abstract: Forward current-voltage characteristics of non-ideal Ti / 4H-SiC Schottky barriers with ideality factor n = 1.1 - 1.2 have been analyzed. The non-ideality is considered as a result of formation of a thin intermediate dielectric layer between the deposited titanium layer and 4H-SiC. Using experimental current-voltage characteristics, the electro-physical characteristics of Ti contacts such as the energy barrier height, the thickness of the intermediate layer and the energy distribution of the interface trap density are determined.

Abstract: GaN MOS capacitors were characterized to optimize the electric properties of SiO2/GaN interface. With optimized anneal conditions, an interface state density of 3.8×1010/cm2-eV was estimated at 0.19 eV near the conduction band and decreases deeper into the band gap. Enhancement-mode GaN MOSFETs were experimentally demonstrated on both p and n GaN epilayer with record high field-effect mobility of 167 cm2/V-s. Lateral RESURF-type GaN MOSFETs exhibit non-destructive high voltage (up to 940V) blocking capabilities. Other characterization including mobility orientation dependence, MOS-gated Hall mobility, current collapse and an NMOS inverter utilizing E/D mode GaN MOSFETs have also been experimentally demonstrated.

Abstract: This study is focused on characterization of deep energy-level interface traps formed during sodium enhanced oxidation of n-type Si face 4H-SiC. The traps are located 0.9 eV below the SiC conduction band edge as revealed by deep level transient spectroscopy. Furthermore these traps are passivated using post-metallization anneal at 400°C in forming gas ambient.

Abstract: The effect of incorporation of cesium with implantation on the electrical characteristics of SiO2/4H-SiC interface has been evaluated using MOS capacitors. With a cesium dosage of 1012 and 3x1012 cm-2 on deposited oxide re-oxidized in steam, effective oxide charge densities of - 1.4x1012 and -7.5x1011 cm-2 respectively were extracted and a cesium implant activation percentage of 33% was estimated from flatband voltage shift. Also, corresponding interfacial state densities of 2.5x1013 and 1.8x1013 cm-2-eV-1 near the conduction band edge were extracted from High-Low frequency C-V technique, showing a decreasing Dit with increasing Cs dosage.

Abstract: We have analyzed the effect of post-oxidation nitride anneals (usually with either NO or N2O gases) on SiC MOSFETs. Two 4H:SiC wafers were identically prepared except that one wafer had a nitridation anneal after the gate oxide was formed, while the other was tested as-oxidized. We compared the two processes by making measurements on lateral MOSFETs and MOS capacitors using ID-VGS, C-V, and charge pumping. There was no change in either flatband voltage or interface trap density near the valence band, suggesting that the net fixed charge remained constant (within a few 1011cm-2). However, there was a large shift in the threshold voltage which, when combined with the C-V results, indicates a strong reduction of interface traps near the conduction band of roughly 6.0x1012cm-2 by using the nitridation process. The charge pumping measurements also showed a strong reduction of interface traps. Charge pumping measured a trapping density of 2.5x1012cm-2 for the as-oxidized samples and 5.3x1011cm-2 for the nitrided samples. The frequency-dependence of the charge pumping signal also indicates a spatial distribution of traps, with volumetric trap densities of roughly 1.3x1019cm-3 over 25Å on as-oxidized and 3.8x1018cm-3 over 19Å for nitrided.

Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor was fabricated using 4H-SiC epitaxial layer, and the interface state was evaluated in oxygen and hydrogen ambient under high-temperature conditions by the AC conductance technique. The relationships between interface state density (Dit), and corresponding time constant (tit) were obtained. Influences of oxide thickness and of gate metal (Pt or Al) were studied. Dit of Pt gate capacitor is influenced by ambient gas at higher temperature but Dit of Al gate capacitor is little affected by ambient gas. Dit of capacitor with thicker oxide layer tends to be lower than that of capacitor with thinner oxide layer. Interface states with larger time constant are decreased for hydrogen ambient comparing with oxygen ambient in the Pt gate capacitor.

Abstract: 3C-SiC/SiO2-capacitors are fabricated by over-oxidation of an implanted Gaussian nitrogen (N) profile and investigated by conductance spectroscopy. A double peak structure is observed in the conductance spectra indicating two types of traps, which change their charge state at identical time constant, however, which are located at different energy positions in the bandgap of 3C-SiC. The experimental G/w-V and C-V characteristics are simulated and the existence of two types of traps is verified in the framework of a theoretical model.

Abstract: N-channel MOSFETs are irradiated with gamma-rays (g-rays) up to 3.16 MGy(SiO2) at room temperature. Above 1 MGy, the effective channel mobility increases with increasing absorbed dose. A similar increase is observed for the Hall mobility in the inversion layer. In addition, the Hall-effect measurements indicate a reduction of the interface trap density.