The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers

In this study, a 4H-SiC homoepitaxial layer was grown on a 150 mm 4° off-axis substrate using a horizontal hot-wall CVD reactor. The research aimed to investigate the impact of varying the C/Si ratio and temperature while also changing the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate and N<sub>2</su...

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Main Authors: Weilong Yuan, Yicheng Pei, Ning Guo, Yunkai Li, Xiuhai Zhang, Xingfang Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Crystals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/6/935
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author Weilong Yuan
Yicheng Pei
Ning Guo
Yunkai Li
Xiuhai Zhang
Xingfang Liu
author_facet Weilong Yuan
Yicheng Pei
Ning Guo
Yunkai Li
Xiuhai Zhang
Xingfang Liu
author_sort Weilong Yuan
collection DOAJ
description In this study, a 4H-SiC homoepitaxial layer was grown on a 150 mm 4° off-axis substrate using a horizontal hot-wall CVD reactor. The research aimed to investigate the impact of varying the C/Si ratio and temperature while also changing the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate and N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio on the growth rate (thickness), doping, surface roughness, and uniformity of the large-size 4H-SiC epitaxial layer. The results indicate that the growth rate and thickness uniformity of the film increases with an increase in the C/Si ratio. Additionally, adjusting the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate in a timely manner based on the change in the C/Si ratio is crucial to achieving the best epitaxial layer doping concentration and uniformity. The study found that, as the temperature increases, the film thickness and thickness uniformity also increase. The maximum thickness recorded was 6.2 μm, while the minimum thickness uniformity was 1.44% at 1570 °C. Additionally, the surface roughness reached its lowest point at 0.81 nm at 1570 °C. To compensate for the difference in thickness and doping concentration caused by temperature distribution and uneven airflow, the N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio was altered. In particular, at a growth temperature of 1570 °C, a N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio of 1.78 can improve the uniformity of doping by 4.12%.
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spelling doaj.art-1d1b14cb7ea742bf8d214f340966afeb2023-11-18T09:56:48ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522023-06-0113693510.3390/cryst13060935The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC LayersWeilong Yuan0Yicheng Pei1Ning Guo2Yunkai Li3Xiuhai Zhang4Xingfang Liu5School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaSchool of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaKey Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaKey Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaIn this study, a 4H-SiC homoepitaxial layer was grown on a 150 mm 4° off-axis substrate using a horizontal hot-wall CVD reactor. The research aimed to investigate the impact of varying the C/Si ratio and temperature while also changing the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate and N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio on the growth rate (thickness), doping, surface roughness, and uniformity of the large-size 4H-SiC epitaxial layer. The results indicate that the growth rate and thickness uniformity of the film increases with an increase in the C/Si ratio. Additionally, adjusting the N<sub>2</sub> flow rate in a timely manner based on the change in the C/Si ratio is crucial to achieving the best epitaxial layer doping concentration and uniformity. The study found that, as the temperature increases, the film thickness and thickness uniformity also increase. The maximum thickness recorded was 6.2 μm, while the minimum thickness uniformity was 1.44% at 1570 °C. Additionally, the surface roughness reached its lowest point at 0.81 nm at 1570 °C. To compensate for the difference in thickness and doping concentration caused by temperature distribution and uneven airflow, the N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio was altered. In particular, at a growth temperature of 1570 °C, a N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio of 1.78 can improve the uniformity of doping by 4.12%.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/6/9354H-SiC homoepitaxial layerCVDN<sub>2</sub> flow rateN<sub>2</sub> flow ratioC/Si ratiogrowth temperature
spellingShingle Weilong Yuan
Yicheng Pei
Ning Guo
Yunkai Li
Xiuhai Zhang
Xingfang Liu
The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
Crystals
4H-SiC homoepitaxial layer
CVD
N<sub>2</sub> flow rate
N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio
C/Si ratio
growth temperature
title The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
title_full The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
title_fullStr The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
title_full_unstemmed The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
title_short The Optimizing Effect of Nitrogen Flow Ratio on the Homoepitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC Layers
title_sort optimizing effect of nitrogen flow ratio on the homoepitaxial growth of 4h sic layers
topic 4H-SiC homoepitaxial layer
CVD
N<sub>2</sub> flow rate
N<sub>2</sub> flow ratio
C/Si ratio
growth temperature
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/6/935
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