Observation and Analysis of the “Galaxy” Defect in 4H-SiC through X-Ray Synchrotron Topography

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Abstract:

Silicon carbide (SiC) is valued for high-power and high-frequency devices, but its performance is limited by crystalline defects. We report a newly observed defect arrangement, termed the “galaxy” defect, in wafers from a PVT-grown 6-inch 4° off-axis boule. Optical microscopy revealed dense clusters of micron-sized inclusions, while synchrotron X-ray topography (XRT) showed associated dislocation networks. Transmission synchrotron XRT indicated threading dislocation clusters, and grazing images revealed high densities of basal plane dislocations, deflected Frank partials, and threading-edge-dislocation low-angle grain boundaries (TED-LAGBs). The defect evolved as growth progressed, producing increasingly complex dislocation structures. Based on the observation, we proposed a mechanism for the evolution of the defect involving the generation, evolution, and interaction between the inclusions and dislocations.

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