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Title: Mechanism of β-FeSi{sub 2} precipitates growth-and-dissolution and pyramidal defects' formation during oxidation of Fe-contaminated silicon wafers

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4915086· OSTI ID:22399319
; ; ;  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IM2NP UMR 7334, bd Escadrille Normandie Niémen, F-13397 Marseille (France)
  2. ST MicroElectronics, 190 av. Célestin Coq, Z.I. Peynier Rousset, F-13106 Rousset (France)
  3. Ion Beam Services, rue G. Imbert prolongée, Z.I. Peynier Rousset, F-13790 Rousset (France)
  4. Vegatec, 150 av. Célestin Coq, Z.I. Peynier Rousset, F-13106 Rousset (France)

Fe-implanted Si-wafers have been oxidized at 900 °C and 1100 °C in order to investigate the behaviour of Fe atoms at the growing SiO{sub 2}/Si interface and the impact on the integrity of microelectronic devices of an involuntary Fe contamination before or during the oxidation process. As-implanted and oxidized wafers have been characterized using secondary ion mass spectroscopy, atom probe tomography, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Experimental results were compared to calculated implantation profiles and simulated images. Successive steps of iron disilicide precipitation and oxidation were evidenced during the silicon oxidation process. The formation of characteristic pyramidal-shaped defects, at the SiO{sub 2}/Si interface, was notably found to correlate with the presence of β-FeSi{sub 2} precipitates. Taking into account the competitive oxidation of these precipitates and of the surrounding silicon matrix, dynamic mechanisms are proposed to model the observed microstructural evolution of the SiO{sub 2}/Si interface, during the growth of the silicon oxide layer.

OSTI ID:
22399319
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 117, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English