Papers by Keyword: X-Ray Rocking Curve

Abstract: X-ray rocking curve characterization is a relatively fast and nondestructive technique that can be utilized to evaluate the crystal quality of SiC substrates. The contribution of lattice curvature to rocking curve broadening is estimated, and shown to be the major contribution to the measured broadening (FWHM). The feedback on lattice quality is used to optimize our SiC growth process. In the optimized growth runs, the typical variation in rocking curve sample angle Ω across the entire 3” diameter wafer is about 0.2 degrees. Possible mechanisms leading to changes in the lattice curvature are discussed.

Abstract: Several morphological defects in 4H SiC epitaxial wafers, including Comets and Triangles, may significantly impact on the yield and reliability of SiC devices. The formation of these epilayer defects is closely related to the substrate quality. This paper focuses on the study of the substrate quality and its relationship with defects in the epilayers. The crystalline quality of 4H n+ substrates has been characterized by x-ray diffraction, and the distribution of dislocations has been determined using etching in molten KOH. The relationship between Comet and Triangle epilayer defects and the dislocations has been established. A 10-fold reduction in the overall dislocation density in the 4H SiC substrates was achieved through technological improvements. The improvement was validated by the reduction in the number of the epilayer defects.

Abstract: 4H-SiC crystals were grown using the seeded sublimation technique (modified Lely technique) in the temperature range of 1950-2200°C. The nucleation of 4H-SiC on 6HSiC has been optimized and 4H-SiC crystals of 1cm thickness were grown using 6H-SiC seeds. a-face and c-face wafers obtained from the grown boules were characterized by KOH etching, X-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering studies. Complete polytypic homogeneity of 4H SiC was obtained during growth and it was found that the 6H to 4H transition occurs in three ways: 1) without a transition layer, 2) with thick 6H-SiC layer growth, and 3) with traces of 3C SiC inclusions. The crown regions of the grown crystals exhibit an X-ray rocking curve width of 21 arcsecs.