Strain Relaxation of Ion-implanted Strained Silicon on Relaxed SiGe

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe relaxation processes of strained silicon films on silicon-rich relaxed SiGe alloys have been studied. Experimental structures were generated via Molecular Beam Epitaxial (MBE) growth techniques and contain a strained silicon capping layer of approximately 50 nm. The relaxed SiGe alloy compositions range from 0 to 30 atomic% germanium. Samples received two distinct types of silicon implants. A 12 keV Si+ implant at a dose of 1×1015 atoms/cm2 was used to generate an amorphous layer strictly confined within the strained Si cap. An alternate 60 keV Si+ implant at a dose of 1×1015 atoms/cm2 was employed to create a continuous amorphous layer extending from the sample surface to a position 50 nm into the bulk SiGe material. The strain relaxation and regrowth processes are quantified through High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curves and Cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy (XTEM). The role of injected silicon interstitials upon the strain relaxation processes at the Si/SiGe interface after annealing at 600°C is investigated.