In Situ Analysis of Dopant Incorporation, Activation, and Film Growth during Thin Film ZnO and ZnO:Al Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract

In situ characterization of low temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO and aluminum-doped ZnO (ZnO:Al) establishes a relationship between species adsorption, mass uptake, and surface electrical conductance during deposition and dopant atom incorporation. Conductance measured in situ during ZnO ALD oscillates with species surface adsorption, consistent with surface potential modulation and charge transfer during surface reaction. Dopant introduction using trimethylaluminum impedes both surface potential modulation and film growth, and a reaction scheme involving surface proton exchange complexes is presented to understand the observed results. Electronically active doping is achieved only after Al species transition four to five monolayers into the film bulk, consistent with a nonuniform dopant atom distribution in the direction of film growth. Results have important implications in understanding relations between dopant incorporation, activation, and film growth mechanisms in atomic layer deposi...