Reactive ion etching of SiC using C2F6/O2 inductively coupled plasma

Abstract

The inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) of SiC single crystals using the C2F6/O2 gas mixture was investigated. It was observed that the etch rate increased as the ICP power and bias power increased. With increasing sample-coil distance, O2 concentration, and chamber pressure, the etch rate initially increased, reached a maximum, and then decreased. Mesas with smooth surfaces (roughness ≤1 nm) and vertical sidewalls (∼85°) were obtained at low bias conditions with a reasonable etch rate of about 100 nm/min. A maximum etch rate of 300 nm/min could be obtained by etching at high bias conditions (≥300 V), in which case rough surfaces and the trenched sidewall base were observed. The trenching effect could be suppressed by etching the samples on anodized Al plates, although mesas with sloped (60–70°) sidewalls were obtained. Results of various surface characterization indicated little contamination and damage on the etched SiC surfaces.