Structural Effects in Al(111)/Si(111) Heteroepitaxy by Partially Ionized Beam Deposition α

Abstract

AbstractSingle crystal Al(111) films were grown on Si(111) surface at room temperature under a conventional vacuum condition using the partially ionized beam (PIB) deposition technique. The Al films were deposited with an ion to atom ratio of about 0.3% and an acceleration voltage of 1 kV. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the as-deposited films were single crystal with certain density of dislocation networks. These dislocations disappeared following a heat treatment at 450°C for 30 min. From X-ray diffraction and TEM patterns, it was observed that the Al(111) was aligned to the substrate with Al<1l0>//Si<1l0>. Possible mechanisms of the PIB epitaxial growth and a novel structural defect that is unique to this large lattice mismatch system are discussed.