High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation

Many techniques for high-resolution surface analysis of semiconductors are known, such as optical-, X-ray-, transmission electron microscopy etc. However, atomic-force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are generally used. In this article, basic principles of scanning electron and atomic-fo...

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Main Authors: A. E. Mirofyanchenko, A. S. Kashuba, E. V. Pryanikova, N. I. Yakovleva, V. V. Arbenina
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: MIREA - Russian Technological University 2015-12-01
Series:Тонкие химические технологии
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.finechem-mirea.ru/jour/article/view/266
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author A. E. Mirofyanchenko
A. S. Kashuba
E. V. Pryanikova
N. I. Yakovleva
V. V. Arbenina
author_facet A. E. Mirofyanchenko
A. S. Kashuba
E. V. Pryanikova
N. I. Yakovleva
V. V. Arbenina
author_sort A. E. Mirofyanchenko
collection DOAJ
description Many techniques for high-resolution surface analysis of semiconductors are known, such as optical-, X-ray-, transmission electron microscopy etc. However, atomic-force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are generally used. In this article, basic principles of scanning electron and atomic-force microscopy are considered. This article shows advantages and disadvantages of each technique. These techniques can be used for quality assessment of semiconductors wafers and structures at different stages of production such as incoming inspection, interoperation inspection and functional control. For AFM study we used “tapping mode” which is well suited for epitaxial structures. SEM images were obtained in secondary electrons imaging mode. These two techniques were compared with respect to the following factors: surface morphology, working environment and the determination of composition. Specific defects for each semiconductor structure and substrates for epitaxy were studied in detail. One of the main advantages of AFM is 3D imaging of the surface together with a “true” vertical resolution less than 0.1 nm. On the contrary, lateral resolution in SEM is better. AFM works under atmospheric environmental conditions that exclude sample preparation. SEM requires vacuum conditions, but at the same time, this “disadvantage” helps to realize its excellent analytical potential. The applicability of these methods for surface morphology investigations of semiconductors such as Ge, MCT, InSb, AlGaN, InGaAs is shown. These materials are commonly used for IR imaging systems in military and civil applications, and their quality is very important. In summary, we conclude that both techniques complement each other. In a modern laboratory it is better to use these techniques side-by-side to achieve satisfactory results.
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spelling doaj.art-376600e3557a4f55b235f90dbb6010cd2023-03-13T07:25:36ZrusMIREA - Russian Technological UniversityТонкие химические технологии2410-65932686-75752015-12-011063743260High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigationA. E. Mirofyanchenko0A. S. Kashuba1E. V. Pryanikova2N. I. Yakovleva3V. V. Arbenina4RD&P Centre Orion, Moscow, 111123RD&P Centre Orion, Moscow, 111123NUST MIS&S, Moscow, 119991RD&P Centre Orion, Moscow, 111123Moscow Technological University (Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies), 86, Vernadskogo pr., Moscow 119571Many techniques for high-resolution surface analysis of semiconductors are known, such as optical-, X-ray-, transmission electron microscopy etc. However, atomic-force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are generally used. In this article, basic principles of scanning electron and atomic-force microscopy are considered. This article shows advantages and disadvantages of each technique. These techniques can be used for quality assessment of semiconductors wafers and structures at different stages of production such as incoming inspection, interoperation inspection and functional control. For AFM study we used “tapping mode” which is well suited for epitaxial structures. SEM images were obtained in secondary electrons imaging mode. These two techniques were compared with respect to the following factors: surface morphology, working environment and the determination of composition. Specific defects for each semiconductor structure and substrates for epitaxy were studied in detail. One of the main advantages of AFM is 3D imaging of the surface together with a “true” vertical resolution less than 0.1 nm. On the contrary, lateral resolution in SEM is better. AFM works under atmospheric environmental conditions that exclude sample preparation. SEM requires vacuum conditions, but at the same time, this “disadvantage” helps to realize its excellent analytical potential. The applicability of these methods for surface morphology investigations of semiconductors such as Ge, MCT, InSb, AlGaN, InGaAs is shown. These materials are commonly used for IR imaging systems in military and civil applications, and their quality is very important. In summary, we conclude that both techniques complement each other. In a modern laboratory it is better to use these techniques side-by-side to achieve satisfactory results.https://www.finechem-mirea.ru/jour/article/view/266afm, sem, surface morphology, composition, cht, insb, algan, ingaas.
spellingShingle A. E. Mirofyanchenko
A. S. Kashuba
E. V. Pryanikova
N. I. Yakovleva
V. V. Arbenina
High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
Тонкие химические технологии
afm, sem, surface morphology, composition, cht, insb, algan, ingaas.
title High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
title_full High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
title_fullStr High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
title_full_unstemmed High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
title_short High-resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
title_sort high resolution microscopy methods for surface morphology semiconductors investigation
topic afm, sem, surface morphology, composition, cht, insb, algan, ingaas.
url https://www.finechem-mirea.ru/jour/article/view/266
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AT askashuba highresolutionmicroscopymethodsforsurfacemorphologysemiconductorsinvestigation
AT evpryanikova highresolutionmicroscopymethodsforsurfacemorphologysemiconductorsinvestigation
AT niyakovleva highresolutionmicroscopymethodsforsurfacemorphologysemiconductorsinvestigation
AT vvarbenina highresolutionmicroscopymethodsforsurfacemorphologysemiconductorsinvestigation