Suppression of Macrosteps Formation on SiC Wafer Using an Oxide Layer

산화막을 이용한 SiC 기판의 macrostep 형성 억제

In SiC semiconductor device processing, it needs high temperature anneal for activation of ion implanted dopants. The macrosteps, 7~8nm in height, are formed on the surface of SiC substrates during activation anneal. We have investigated the effect of thermally-grown SiO$_2$layer on the suppression of macrostep formation during high temperature anneal. The cap oxide layer was found to be efficient for suppression of macrostep formation even though the annealing temperature is as high as the melting point of SiO$_2$. The thin cap oxide layer (10nm) was evaporated during anneal then the macrosteps were formed on SiC substrate. On the other hand the thicker cap oxide layer (50nm) remains until the anneal process ends. In that case, the surface was smoother and the macrosteps were rarely formed. The thermally-grown oxide layer is found to be a good material for the suppression of macrostep formation because of its feasibility of growing and processing. Moreover, we can choose a proper oxide thickness considering the evaporate rate of SiO$_2$at the given temperature.