Silicon Carbide: Progress in Crystal Growth

Abstract

ABSTRACTSilicon carbide (SiC), with a favorable combination of semiconducting and refractory properties, has long been a candidate for high temperature semiconductor applications. Research on processes for producing the needed large-area high quality single crystals has proceeded sporadically for many years. Two characteristics of SiC have aggravated the problem of its crystal growth. First, it cannot be melted at any reasonable pressure, and second, it forms many different crystalline structures, called polytypes. Recent progress in the development of two crystal growth processes will be described. These processes are the modified Lely process for the growth of the alpha polytypes (e.g. 6H SiC), and a process for the epitaxial growth of the beta polytype (i.e. 3C or cubic SiC) on single crystal silicon substrates. A discussion of the semiconducting qualities of crystals grown by various techniques will also be included.