Standard p-type 12 cm Cz Si wafers were implanted by helium ions. The implanted and nonimplanted samples were subsequently subjected to nitrogen plasma treatment and final vacuum annealing. SEM studies have shown the absence of large-scale defects on the top wafer surface and the presence of a layer revealing contrast with surrounding silicon on the cleavage surface at a depth corresponding to the projected range Rp. Scanning over a crater formed by ion sputtering has exposed no defects to the depth of Rp and beyond. At the same time, at a depth of Rp there is a layer with the morphology (structure) significantly different from the surrounding defect-free areas. The measurements of transverse conductivity have shown that the wafer with the formed nitrogen-contained layer possesses dielectric properties with a breakdown voltage up to 15 V.
The general goal of this work is to investigate the defects formed on the surface of the Cz-Si wafers subjected to helium implantation, vacuum annealing and nitrogen plasma treatment. The performed scanning electron microscopy study has shown that in the general case two types of surface defects can be formed: cone-shaped inclusions with the base diameter of 0.2-2 µm and the ratio of diameter to height of approximately 1:1, as well as crystallographically oriented line defects with the length equal to 0.2-2 µm. The concentration of these defects depends on the conditions of implantation and plasma treatment.
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