Materials Science Forum Vol. 725

Abstract: This paper demonstrates the X-ray three-dimensional topography of basal-plane dislocations (BPDs) and threading edge dislocations (TEDs) in 4H-SiC. Cross-sectional imaging shows the propagation of BPDs from a substrate to an epilayer and the conversion of BPDs into TEDs near the epilayer/substrate interface. The strain analysis of TEDs exhibits the image of strains in the order of ±10-5. The observed strain images correlate well to simulation results.

Abstract: Threading dislocations in 4H-SiC wafer were observed by using a double crystal X-ray topography technique. The incident beam was collimated by the first crystal so that the angular divergence was reduced to sufficiently smaller than the rocking curve of a diffraction of the specimen (the second crystal). At off-Bragg angles, cross-sectional projection of threading dislocations appeared on the topographic images. From these results, we found that outcrops of the screw dislocation at the wafer surfaces suffered from significant strain, giving strong contrast on the topograph even under the condition, $\vec{g}\cdot\vec{b}=0$. In addition, the edge and screw components in the mixed dislocations were clearly distinguished.

Abstract: We developed the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation technique for the low dislocation density of 4H-SiC by combining the KOH+Na₂O₂ (KN) etching and the focused ion beam (FIB) microsampling technique. The dislocation under sea-shell pit was then characterized by large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction (LACBED). It is demonstrated that this method is powerful for evaluating Burgers vectors of dislocations. Burgers vector of the measured basal plane dislocation (BPD) is determined to be b=1/3[-12-10]. Two-beam bright-field (TBBF) imaging identified the rotating direction of the threading screw dislocation (TSD) is counter-clockwise.

Abstract: Frank-type defects on a basal plane have been investigated using photoluminescence (PL) imaging microscopy and wavelength profile measurement. A wide range of emission in the near-infrared wavelength was observed from a Frank partial dislocation at the edge of the defect, while a narrow emission at around the visible light range was obtained from a stacking fault region. The emissions from a stacking fault region of three kinds of basal plane Frank-type defects were confirmed to have different wavelengths depending on their stacking structures.

Abstract: Scanning transmission electron microscopy was carried out to study the three-dimensional microstructures of periodic strained layers induced by the irradiation of femtosecond laser pulses inside a silicon carbide single crystal. The cross section of laser-irradiated line consisted of a shell-shaped modified region surrounding a core region with no modification. The laser-modified region was composed of strained layers with a typical spacing of 200 nm. Nanovoids from 10 nm to 20 nm in diameter were observed. Three-dimensional tomographic images clearly show the plate-like shape of strained layers extending parallel to the electric field of the laser light and the random distribution of nanovoids in the strained layers. The three-dimensional observation provides insight into the formation mechanisms of periodic microstructures.

Abstract: Electron beam induced current (EBIC) observations have been carried out to investigate the influence of mechanical polishing (MP) direction on the dislocations formation at the Si-face c(0001) of 4H-SiC epitaxial layers. Two opposite MP directions (defined by polish pad moving direction) have been compared, which are [11-20] off-cut directions along step-up and step-down, respectively. It has been found that high density of dislocations have been formed along the polish paths for the 8o off samples with polishing pad moved in step-up direction. By contrast, step-down polishing samples have shown no significant dislocation increase although shallow polish scratches were observed. Similar experiments have also been carried out for 4o off samples, showing step-up MPs introduced more dislocations than step-down ones. The results are discussed in terms of forces along the slip plane [11-20](0001) effectively exerted by the abrasive particles on the steps.

Abstract: Morphologies of basal plane dislocations (BPDs) in 4H-SiC epilayers doped with nitrogen or aluminum are explained in detail. While BPDs in low N-doped or Al-doped epilayers show the morphology of gliding dislocations responding to stresses, BPDs in highly N-doped (≥1.0×10¹⁸ cm^-3) epilayers appear different. Some of them are parallel to [11-20] while others are straight and tilt from [11-20]. Tilt BPDs were also studied by TEM. Factors that relate to such morphology are discussed.

Abstract: We have been trying to improve a quality of crystal, using the metastable solvent epitaxy (MSE) method, one of the solution methods. In MSE, a Frank-type fault is formed by conversion of a threading screw dislocation (TSD) in the substrate. To study the status of the growth, we performed plane-viewed TEM observation. Analysis of Burgers vectors in the TEM image showed Frank PDs (Partial Dislocations) which do not include a components and Frank PDs which include a components. The total Burgers vectors of Frank-type fault including a components are represented as b=a/3+c, which indicates some TSDs in the substrate also include a components.

Abstract: Anomalous expansion of stacking faults (SFs) induced in 4H-SiC under electronic excitations is driven by an electronic force and is achieved by enhanced glide of partial dislocations. An experimental attempt to separate the two physically different effects has been made by conducting photoluminescence (PL) mapping experiments which allowed simultaneous measurements of partial dislocation velocity and SF-originated PL intensity the latter of which is proposed to be related to the driving force for SF expansion through the density of free excitons planarly confined in the SF.