Nondestructive dislocation delineation using topographically enhanced imaging of surface morphologies in 4H-SiC epitaxial layers
The morphology of surface features generated by dislocations present at 4H-SiC epitaxial layer surfaces was investigated by forescattered electron detection (FED) inside a conventional scanning electron microscope. Various growth pit morphologies were correlated to dislocation types using molten KOH...
Gespeichert in:
Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of applied physics 2008-04, Vol.103 (7) |
---|---|
Hauptverfasser: | , , , , , |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
Zusammenfassung: | The morphology of surface features generated by dislocations present at 4H-SiC epitaxial layer surfaces was investigated by forescattered electron detection (FED) inside a conventional scanning electron microscope. Various growth pit morphologies were correlated to dislocation types using molten KOH etching. Specifically, sharp-apex pits and stripe-shaped pits were consistently linked to screw and edge dislocations, respectively. The size and depth of these growth pits were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Tail-like features were observed by FED emanating from sharp-apex pits and verified by Nomarski optical microscopy (NOM). A mechanism is proposed to explain the FED contrast exhibited by these tail-like features. This mechanism relates the nature of step-flow and spiral growth in the wake of a screw dislocation to the surface distortions resulting in such tail-like features. The Burgers vector direction can thus be determined based on a purely morphological analysis of these tail-like features. The results of this study illustrate the various capabilities of FED for surface imaging as compared to AFM and NOM. The potential for utilizing FED to map dislocation-associated growth pits is discussed. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0021-8979 1089-7550 |
DOI: | 10.1063/1.2903873 |