Properties of AlN epitaxial layers on 6H-SiC substrate grown by sublimation in argon, nitrogen, and their mixtures

• Epitaxial layers of aluminum nitride (AlN) have been grown at temperature 1900 °C on 10 mm × 10 mm 6H-SiC substrate via sublimation-recondensation in RF heated graphite furnace. The source material was polycrystalline sintered AlN. Growth of AlN layers in pure nitrogen, mixed nitrogen/argon and pure argon atmosphere of 50 mbar were compared. A maximum growth rate of about 30 µm/h was achieved in pure nitrogen atmosphere. The surface morphology reflects the hexagonal symmetry of the seed, which is characteristic of an epitaxial growth for samples grown in a pure nitrogen and mixed nitrogen/argon atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show very strong and well defined (0 0 0 2) reflection positioned at around 36° in symmetric ?-2? scans. Micro-Raman spectroscopy reveals that the films have a wurtzite structure. Secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) results showed a low concentration of carbon incorporation in the AlN layers. This study demonstrates that nitrogen is necessary for the successful epitaxial growth of AlN on 6H-SiC by sublimation. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

AlN

Gas ambient

Morphology

Raman spectroscopy

Sublimation epitaxy

XRD

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)