Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for producing MIIIN columns and MIIIN materials grown thereon

US6692568B2 · kind B2 · utility

106Cited by
72References
93Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 2001
Grant dateFeb 17, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 17, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/02631
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method utilizes sputter transport techniques to produce arrays or layers of self-forming, self-oriented columnar structures characterized as discrete, single-crystal Group III nitride posts or columns on various substrates. The columnar structure is formed in a single growth step, and therefore does not require processing steps for depositing, patterning, and etching growth masks. A Group III metal source vapor is produced by sputtering a target, for combination with nitrogen supplied from a nitrogen-containing source gas. The III/V ratio is adjusted or controlled to create a Group III metal-rich environment within the reaction chamber conducive to preferential column growth. The reactant vapor species are deposited on the growth surface to produce single-crystal MIIIN columns thereon. The columns can be employed as a strain-relieving platform for the growth of continuous, low defect-density, bulk materials. Additionally, the growth conditions can be readjusted to effect columnar epitaxial overgrowth, wherein coalescence of the Group III nitride material occurs at the tops of the columns, thereby forming a substantially continuous layer upon which additional layers can be deposit…

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