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Title: In situ characterization of initial growth of HfO{sub 2}

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3073863· OSTI ID:21175877
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon (Hong Kong)
  2. Department of Electronic Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories (Hong Kong)

The initial growth of HfO{sub 2} on Si (111) is monitored in situ by ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) scanning probe microscopy. UHV scanning tunneling microscopy and UHV atomic force microscopy reveal the topography of HfO{sub 2} films in the initial stage. The chemical composition is further confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy is utilized to inspect the evolution of the bandgap. When the film thickness is less than 0.6 nm, the bandgap of HfO{sub 2} is not completely formed. A continuous usable HfO{sub 2} film with thickness of about 1.2 nm is presented in this work.

OSTI ID:
21175877
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 94, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3073863; (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English