High-k materials are needed to minimise the gate leakage current in high-speed and high-power switching applications. In this regard, aluminium oxide (Al2O3) deposited by Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD) is gaining extensive attention to be used as high-k material in microelectronics. In this work, we studied the effect of substrate biasing during the oxidizing plasma step on physical, chemical and electrical properties of Al2O3 thin films grown by PEALD on silicon substrate. We show that the structural and electrical properties such as the flat band voltage, and chemical composition can be tuned with the applied substrate bias. Indeed, we highlight that the dielectric constant of the MIS capacitor decreases from 8.5 to 6.5 and the charge polarity of the film is modulated from negative to positive when the applied substrate bias is increased. Using morphological and structural characterisations, we show that the substrate bias significantly affects the chemical composition of Al2O3 thin film layer. Moreover, we highlight by cross-sectional transmission electron the presence of an interfacial layer between Si and Al2O3 which could significantly influence the electrical properties of the deposited thin film. The chemical composition of this interfacial layer can be controlled by the applied substrate bias. Using a series of Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) experiments, we further confirm the formation of aluminosilicate under low substrate bias condition while silicon oxide is formed under high bias. These findings show that the substrate biasing plays a critical role in defining physical, chemical as well as electrical properties of the PEALD Al2O3 thin films.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.