Simone Rascuna

Thermal stability of the current transport mechanisms in Ni-based Ohmic contacts on n- and p-implanted 4H-SiC

Studying the temperature dependence of the electrical properties of Ohmic contacts formed on ion-implanted SiC layers is fundamental to understand and to predict the behaviour of practical devices. This paper reports the electrical characterization, as a function of temperature, of Ni-based Ohmic contacts, simultaneously formed on both n- or p-type implanted 4H-SiC. A structural analysis showed the formation of the Ni2Si phase after an annealing leading to Ohmic behaviour. The temperature-dependence of the specific contact resistance indicated that a thermionic field emission mechanism (TFE) dominates the current transport for contacts formed on p-type material, while a field emission (FE) is likely occurring in the contacts formed on n-type implanted SiC. The values of the barrier height were 0.75 eV on p-type material and 0.45 eV on n-type material. The thermal stability of the current transport mechanisms and related physical parameters has been demonstrated upon a long-term (up to 95 h) cycling in the temperature range 200–400 °C.

Industrial Approach for Next Generation of Power Devices Based on 4H-SiC

Silicon Carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (4H-SiC MOSFET) can be considered as the next revolution in power electronics applications. However, a wide market introduction of 4H-SiC MOSFET requires a special focus on device reliability and simplicity of use to replace Silicon switches in existing applications. This paper describes STMicroelectronics (STM) approach to define methodology and design solutions able to guarantee the end-users and to drive their choice toward 4H-SiC MOSFET as an ideal power component.

Comparative Study of the Current Transport Mechanisms in Ni2Si Ohmic Contacts on n- and p-Type Implanted 4H-SiC

The knowledge of the temperature behavior of Ohmic contacts is an important issue to understand the device operation. This work reports an electrical characterization as a function of the temperature carried out on nickel silicide (Ni2Si) Ohmic contacts, used both for n-type and p-type implanted 4H-SiC layers. The temperature dependence of the specific contact resistance suggested that a thermionic field emission mechanism dominates the current transport for contacts on p-type material, whereas a current transport by tunneling is likely occurring in the contacts on n-type implanted SiC. Furthermore, from the temperature dependence of the electrical characteristics, the activation energies for Al and P dopants were determined, resulting of 145 meV and 35 meV, respectively. The thermal stability of the electrical parameters has been demonstrated upon a long-term (up to ~100 hours) cycling in the temperature range 200-400°C.

Study of Ti/Al/Ni Ohmic Contacts to p-Type Implanted 4H-SiC

This work reports on the electrical and microstructural properties of Ti/Al/Ni contacts to p-type implanted 4H-SiC obtained by rapid thermal annealing of a metal stack of Ti (70 nm)/Al (200 nm)/Ni (50 nm). The contact characteristics were monitored at increasing value of the annealing temperature. The Ohmic behavior of the contact, with a specific contact resistance value of 2.3×10-4 Ω·cm2, is obtained for an annealing at 950 °C. The structural analyses of the contact, carried out by XRD and TEM, reveal the occurrence of reactions, with the detection of the Al3Ni2 and AlTi phases in the upper part of the contact and of an epitaxially oriented TiC layer at the interface. These reactions are considered the key factors in the formation of an Ohmic contact in our annealed Ti/Al/Ni system. The temperature-dependence study of the electrical characteristics reveals a predominant thermionic field emission (TFE) mechanism for the current conduction through the contact, with a barrier height of 0.56 eV.

Metal/Semiconductor Contacts to Silicon Carbide: Physics and Technology

The physics and technology of metal/semiconductor interfaces are key-points in the development of silicon carbide (SiC) based devices. Although in the last decade, the metal to 4H-SiC contacts, either Ohmic or Schottky type, have been extensively investigated with important achievements, these remain even now an intriguing topic since metal contacts are fundamental bricks of all electronic devices. Hence, their comprehension is at the base of the improvement of the performances of simple devices and complex systems. In this context, this paper aims to highlight some relevant aspects related to metal/semiconductor contacts to SiC, both on n-type and p-type, with an emphasis on the role of the barrier and on the carrier transport mechanisms at the interfaces.

Impact of Phosphorus Implantation on the Electrical Properties of SiO2/4H-SiC Interfaces Annealed in N2O

In this work, the combined effect of a shallow phosphorus (P) pre-implantation and of a nitridation annealing in N2O on the properties of the SiO2/4H-SiC interface has been investigated. The peak carrier concentration and depth extension of the electrically active dopants introduced by the nitridation and by the combination of P pre-implantation and nitridation were determined by high resolution scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM). Macroscopic capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements on metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and nanoscale C-V analyses by SCM allowed to quantify the electrical effect of the donors introduced underneath the SiO2/4H-SiC interface. Phosphorous pre-implantation and subsequent high temperature electrical activation has been shown not only to produce an increased doping in the 4H-SiC surface region but also a better homogeneity of surface potential with respect to the use of N2O annealing only.

Evolution of the Electrical and Structural Properties of Ti/Al/W Contacts to p-Type Implanted 4H-SiC upon Thermal Annealing

The mechanism of Ohmic contacts formation to p-type SiC is a fundamental and technological concern continuously under debate. Typically, Ti/Al-based contacts are a good choice for Ohmic contacts to p-type SiC, even though some aspects strictly related to the specific nature of Al (susceptibility to oxidation, low melting temperature, etc.) remain to be optimized. In this work, the evolution of the electrical properties of a Ti/Al/W multiple-layer contact has been studied by TLM characterization and correlated to the changes in the morphology and microstructure upon thermal annealing. The formation of an Ohmic contact has been observed after a thermal annealing at 1100°C, discussing the possible reasons determining the transition to an Ohmic behavior.