Elimination of SiC/SiO2 interface states by preoxidation ultraviolet-ozone cleaning

The preoxidation cleaning of silicon carbide surfaces (3C, 4H, 6H polytypes) by exposing them to ultraviolet radiation and oxygen is shown to produce a significant improvement in the electronic properties of SiC/SiO2 interfaces. It is found that this treatment results in a removal of defect species, otherwise present at the SiC surface after thermal oxidation of SiC. Carbon clusters are proposed as the attacked species responsible for a substantial part of the SiC/SiO2 interface states.