Electrical Characterization of Defects Introduced in 4H-SiC During High Energy Proton Irradiation and Their Annealing Behavior

Abstract

AbstractWe report on the electrical properties of defects introduced in epitaxial 4H-SiC by 2 MeV protons using deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). After proton irradiation with a dose of about 1.5×1014 cm-2, the DLTS measurements were made, and the rate window shows a single broad peak between 280 and 310 K. The intensity of this peak remains unchanged after a thermal anneal at 900°C for 20 min. However, after annealing at or above 1100°C, the peak intensity gradually decreases with anneal temperature up to 1500°C, indicating a decrease in the defect concentration. Because a complete damage recovery of the SiC is not observed even after annealing at 1500°C, we believe a higher temperature annealing is necessary for a complete recovery. Using a curve fit analysis, a set of deep levels of defect centers were found with energy ranging between 567 and 732 meV. These traps do not exhibit a significant change in the trap energy or capture cross-section parameters as a function of anneal temperature, but the decrease in the trap density with increasing anneal temperature demonstrates a damage recovery.