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Title: Thickness effect on the structural and electrical properties of poly-SiGe films

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
 [1];  [2];  [1]; ;  [3]
  1. imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven (Belgium)
  2. Fraunhofer-Institute for Material and Beam Technology, Winterbergstrasse 28, Dresden (Germany)
  3. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran (Saudi Arabia)

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Stress and Young's modulus of poly-SiGe film are linked to the grain columnar structure. • The above properties remain unchanged for poly-SiGe films thicker than 40 nm. • The point of transition is close to the electron mean free path for SiGe. • Both the resistivity and Hall mobility follow a similar trend. - Abstract: As lateral dimensions of electromechanical devices are scaled down to length scales comparable to electron mean free paths, the influence of thickness effect on their properties becomes sine qua non. This paper presents a detailed study of thickness effect on the Young's modulus, residual stress, resistivity and Hall mobility of ultrathin poly-Si{sub 11}Ge{sub 89} films deposited by low pressure chemical vapour deposition. The Young's moduli for the films thicker than ∼40 nm are close to the bulk value (135 GPa) while those of the thinner films are much lower. The reduction in resistivity and subsequent improved Hall mobility as thickness increases are discussed in light of surface morphology which is evident from atomic microscopy images. The near constant values of Young's modulus, resistivity and Hall mobility for the films thicker than ∼40 nm are attributed to the columnar grain structure as confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy images.

OSTI ID:
22341823
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 49; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English