Crystallisation kinetics and density profiles in ultra-thin hafnia films

Abstract

Crystallisation onset temperatures as a function of chlorine contamination have been determined by grazing incidence diffraction on as-deposited ultra-thin HfO2 films grown by Atomic Layer Deposition. The onset temperatures are positively correlated with chlorine content, suggesting defect-hindered crystallisation kinetics. Density profiles have been deduced by reflectometry measurements and a model independent analysis scheme. It is shown that the HfO2/SiO2-Si interface is electronically denser than the bulk of the HfO2 film.