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Title: Plasma and vacuum ultraviolet induced charging of SiO{sub 2} and HfO{sub 2} patterned structures

Journal Article · · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.3654012· OSTI ID:22054130
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  1. Plasma Processing and Technology Laboratory and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)

The authors compare the effects of plasma charging and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation on oxidized patterned Si structures with and without atomic-layer-deposited HfO{sub 2}. It was found that, unlike planar oxidized Si wafers, oxidized patterned Si wafers charge up significantly after exposure in an electron-cyclotron resonance plasma. The charging is dependent on the aspect ratio of the patterned structures. This is attributed to electron and/or ion shading during plasma exposure. The addition of a 10 nm thick HfO{sub 2} layer deposited on top of the oxidized silicon structures increases the photoemission yield during VUV irradiation, resulting in more trapped positive charge compared to patterns without the HfO{sub 2} dielectric.

OSTI ID:
22054130
Journal Information:
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, International Journal Devoted to Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 30, Issue 1; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Vacuum Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1553-1813
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English