Growth rate and surface morphology of 4H–SiC crystals grown from Si–Cr–C and Si–Cr–Al–C solutions under various temperature gradient conditions

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2014-09, Vol.401, p.681-685
• Main Authors: Mitani, Takeshi, Komatsu, Naoyoshi, Takahashi, Tetsuo, Kato, Tomohisa, Fujii, Kuniharu, Ujihara, Toru, Matsumoto, Yuji, Kurashige, Kazuhisa, Okumura, Hajime
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Roughening; A1. Surface structure; A2. Growth from solution; A2. Top seeded solution growth; Aluminum; B1. Silicon carbide; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystal defects; Crystal growth; Crystal structure; Crystals; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from solutions; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Morphology; Physics; Solvents; Surface defects; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2013.11.031

The growth rate and surface morphology of 4H–SiC crystals prepared by solution growth with Si1−xCrx and Si1−x−yCrxAly (x=0.4, 0.5 and 0.6; y=0.04) solvents were investigated under various temperature conditions. The growth rate was examined as functions of the temperature difference between the growth surface and C source, the amount of supersaturated C and supersaturation at the growth surface. We found that generation of trench-like surface defects in 4H–SiC crystals was suppressed using Si1−x−yCrxAly solvents even under highly supersaturated conditions where the growth rate exceeded 760µm/h. Conversely, trench-like defects were observed in crystals grown with Si1−xCrx solvents under all experimental conditions. Statistical observation of the macrostep structure showed that the macrostep height in crystals grown with Si1−x−yCrxAly solvents was maintained at lower levels than that obtained using Si1−xCrx solvents. Addition of Al prevents the macrosteps from developing into large steps, which are responsible for the generation of trench-like surface defects. •Growth rate of 4H–SiC was examined as functions of temperature and supersaturation.•Growth was dominated by the amount of supersaturated carbon at the growth surface.•Addition of Al to SiCr solvents suppresses the formation of surface defects.•Addition of Al prevents macrosteps from developing into large macrosteps.•High speed bulk growth without surface defects is possible by addition of Al.