Ellipsometric Monitoring of Defects Induced by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Etching of GaAs

Abstract

AbstractSpectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) measurements were made during and after electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) etching of GaAs. The spectral range for ex situ measurements, 1.24–5 eV, included the E1, E1+A1 critical points. The Ej, Ei+Aj structure was red shifted by about 50 meV, and broadened, by etching with a mixture of methane, argon, and hydrogen. Exposure to a pure H2 plasma caused greater red shifting and broadening, while a pure Ar ECR plasma produced only a slight red shift. The red shift is consistent with an increase in lattice constant of the order of 1%, in the top 10-30 nm. Broadening is consistent with crystalline lattice damage.