Characterization of C coimplanted GexSi1−x epitaxial layers formed by high dose Ge ion implantation in (100) Si

Abstract

We have investigated electrical and structural characteristics of C coimplanted GexSi1−x layers formed by high dose Ge implantation in (100) Si followed by rapid thermal annealing at 1100 °C for 10 s. In the absence of C the layers, with Ge peak concentrations of about 15 at. %, are epitaxial and fully strained but show extrinsic dislocation loops in the Ge end of range region. In C coimplanted GexSi1−x the crystalline quality of the materials is improved since the formation of defects at the end of range is suppressed and the strain is reduced. From an electrical point of view the situation is reversed. The electrical characterization of p+/n diodes shows that, without C coimplantation, in GexSi1−x the hole mobility is larger than in Si, and the bandgap narrowing results in an increase of the minority carrier concentration. Moreover, the diffusion of minority carriers does not appear to be influenced by the presence of the secondary defects at the end of range. Vice versa, in C coimplanted GexSi1−x, even if the extended defects are not present, we observe a high concentration of minority carrier recombination centers, which strongly reduce the carrier diffusion length.