Chemoheteroepitaxy of 3C-SiC(111) on Si(111): Influence of Predeposited Ge on Structure and Composition

Abstract

Secondary ion mass spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, reflection high energy diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are used to gain inside into the effect of Ge on the formation of ultrathin 3C-SiC layers on Si(111) substrates. Accompanying the experimental investigations with simulations it is found that the ultrathin single crystalline 3C-SiC layer is formed on top of a gradient Si1–x–yGexCy buffer layer due to a complex alloying and alloy decomposition processes promoted by carbon and germanium interdiffusion and SiC nucleation. This approach allows tuning residual stress at very early growth stages as well as the interface properties of the 3C-SiC/Si heterostructure. Useful yields of secondary ions of Ge in Si matrix and Si dimer are estimated.