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Surface passivation of p-type Ge substrate with high-quality GeN{sub x} layer formed by electron-cyclotron-resonance plasma nitridation at low temperature

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3647621· OSTI ID:22027755
;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Tokyo University of Science, Suwa, 5000-1 Toyohira, Chino, Nagano 391-0292 (Japan)
  2. Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561 (Japan)

We have investigated the effects of the formation temperature and postmetallization annealing (PMA) on the interface properties of GeN{sub x}/p-Ge fabricated by the plasma nitridation of Ge substrates using an electron-cyclotron-resonance-generated nitrogen plasma. The nitridation temperature is found to be a critical parameter in improving the finally obtained GeN{sub x}/Ge interface properties. The GeN{sub x}/Ge formed at room temperature and treated by PMA at 400 deg. C exhibits the best interface properties with an interface trap density of 1 x 10{sup 11 }cm{sup -2 }eV{sup -1}. The GeN{sub x}/Ge interface is unpinned and the Fermi level at the Ge surface can move from the valence band edge to the conduction band edge.

OSTI ID:
22027755
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 99; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English