Patent · US Expired

Low-temperature direct nitridation of silicon in nitrogen plasma generated by microwave discharge

US4715937A · kind A · utility

242Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 5, 1986
Grant dateDec 29, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 5, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C8/36
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process utilizing a microwave discharge technique for performing direct nitridation of silicon at a relatively low growth temperature of no more than about 500.degree. C. in a nitrogen plasma ambient without the presence of hydrogen or a fluorine-containing species. Nitrogen is introduced through a quartz tube. A silicon rod connected to a voltage source is placed in the quartz tube and functions as an anodization electrode. The silicon wafer to be treated is connected to a second voltage source and functions as the second electrode of the anodizing circuit. A small DC voltage is applied to the silicon wafer to make the plasma current at the wafer and the silicon rod equal and minimize contamination of the film.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.