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APPENDIX B DOD No. 88.1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM PHASE 1-FY 1988 i PROJECT SUMMARY TopicNo. 87-14 Military Department/Agency SDIO Uf) o) Name and Address of Proposing -Small Business Firm 0 Astropower Division/AstrosystemS, Inc. 30 Lovett Avenue ELECTE Newark, DE 19711 1 CT 1 11988 [! Name and Title of Principal Investigator D James B. McNeely, Director, Materials Development D Proposal Title Electronic GaAs-on-Silicon Material for Advanced High-Speed Optoelectronic Devices Technical Abstract (Limit your abstract to 200 words with no classified or proprietary information/data.) AstroPower has successfully demonstrated the growth of device quality GaAs on silicon, using its novel selective liquid phase epitaxial growth technology, during this Phase I research program. Selective growth and graded interlayers were used to reduce lattice strain and minimize lateral dislocation propaga- tion, resulting in a stoichiometric GaAs composition. Device quality layers of lightly n-doped GaAs were grown and junctions were fabricated. Layer quality and uniformity were demonstrated by fabrication of working LEDs. The feasibility study and preliminary equipment design for three inch diameter GaAs on silicon selective liquid phase epitaxy, SLPE, was prepared. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development Fabrication of mtICs onto heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon will offer increased potential for weight reduction and lower costs, in addition to the benefits of greater speed and relative radiation immunity of MMIC fabrication on homoepitaxial GaAs. Device quality GaAs on silicon substrates will provide the benefits of GaAs on a robust substrate. Growth of device quality, larje area, GaAs epitaxial layers on silicon substrates will lead to the development of a new generation of micro- electronic and optoelectronic integrated circuits. List a maximum of 8 Key Words that describe the Project. GaAs-on-Silicon, Heteroepilayers, MMIC, SLPE, semi-insulating Nothing on this page is classitled or proprietary informatiot.0 /fa 8Proposal page No.-2 for Pul 88 10 7 076 Ared ior Public releaei
Transcript
Page 1: PHASE 1-FY SUMMARY · The use of heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon is a desirable approach for advanced microwave and millimeter wave devices. The use of GaAs permits operation in the

APPENDIX BDOD No. 88.1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAMPHASE 1-FY 1988i PROJECT SUMMARY

TopicNo. 87-14 Military Department/Agency SDIO

Uf)

o) Name and Address of Proposing -Small Business Firm

0 Astropower Division/AstrosystemS, Inc.30 Lovett Avenue ELECTENewark, DE 19711 1 CT 1 11988

[! Name and Title of Principal Investigator DJames B. McNeely, Director, Materials Development D

Proposal Title Electronic GaAs-on-Silicon Material for Advanced

High-Speed Optoelectronic Devices

Technical Abstract (Limit your abstract to 200 words with no classified or proprietary information/data.)

AstroPower has successfully demonstrated the growth of devicequality GaAs on silicon, using its novel selective liquid phaseepitaxial growth technology, during this Phase I researchprogram. Selective growth and graded interlayers were used toreduce lattice strain and minimize lateral dislocation propaga-tion, resulting in a stoichiometric GaAs composition. Devicequality layers of lightly n-doped GaAs were grown and junctionswere fabricated. Layer quality and uniformity were demonstratedby fabrication of working LEDs. The feasibility study andpreliminary equipment design for three inch diameter GaAs onsilicon selective liquid phase epitaxy, SLPE, was prepared.

Anticipated Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or DevelopmentFabrication of mtICs onto heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon willoffer increased potential for weight reduction and lower costs,in addition to the benefits of greater speed and relativeradiation immunity of MMIC fabrication on homoepitaxial GaAs.Device quality GaAs on silicon substrates will provide thebenefits of GaAs on a robust substrate. Growth of devicequality, larje area, GaAs epitaxial layers on silicon substrateswill lead to the development of a new generation of micro-electronic and optoelectronic integrated circuits.

List a maximum of 8 Key Words that describe the Project.

GaAs-on-Silicon, Heteroepilayers, MMIC, SLPE, semi-insulating

Nothing on this page is classitled or proprietary informatiot.0 /fa8Proposal page No.-2 for Pul88 10 7 076 Ared ior Public releaei

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4. Introduction

The development of device quality GaAs on silicon is recog-nized as one of the most desirable new technologies [1]. In thisPhase I research program, AstroPower has shown that large areasof device quality GaAs on silicon can be grown using its noveltechnique, SLPE, selective liquid phase epitaxy. Importantprogram demonstrations are listed below.

o Growth of gallium arsenidI on silicon substrates withareas greater than one cm using the novel AstroPowerselective liquid phase epitaxy technique.

o Growth of device quality GaAs on silicon using theselective liquid phase epitaxial growth technology.

o Fabrication of an LED on a selective GaAs/Siheterostructure grown by liquid phase epitaxy.

Device quality, heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon has numerousapplications in advanced optoelectronic and high speed devices aswell as being a source of low-cost, large-diameter GaAs layers.The technology is key to monolithic high speed integrated cir-cuits and also to optical communication techniques with the nextgeneration of VLSI, since optical interconnects have significantadvantages over metallic interconnects in both speed and chipdimensions [2,31.

MESFET's, heterojunction bipolar transistors, doubleheterostructure injection lasers, avalanche photodiodes, andsimilar structures using MOCVD or MBE GaAs on Si substrates havebeen fabricated at several large research centers [4]. Inaddition, a GaAs enhancement/depletion MESFET l-kbit SRAM hasbeen fabricated on a 2 inch Si substrate [5]. However, materialsdevelopment of device quality GaAs on Si with low dislocationdensities remains a priority. GaAs with high dislocationdensities will not support efficienti stable, 8minori y cirrierdevices. Dislocation densities rema n at 10 to 10 /cm [61,with the best reported at 10 to i00 /cm [7].

The use of heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon is a desirableapproach for advanced microwave and millimeter wave devices. Theuse of GaAs permits operation in the microwave and millimeter(30-300 GHz) bands. Device quality GaAs on silicon substrateswill provide the benefits of GaAs on a substrate that has ahigher level of power dissipation, is less expensive, and isavailable in sizes up to eight-inch diameter. Progress on thedevelopment of this technology has been affected by strains anddislocations introduced into the GaAs layer by the latticemismatch and thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between thetwo materials. Working LED's, minority carrier devices requiring %low dislocation densities, were demonstrated during Phase I. The

1 . . . .

A~ ..

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use of AstroPower's selective liquid phase epitaxy techniquevirtually eliminates the deleterious effect of the latticemismatch and thermal expansion mismatch by minimizing the contactarea between the GaAs and the silicon.

Growth of device quality, large area, GaAs epitaxial layerson silicon substrates will lead to the development of a newgeneration of microelectronic and optoelectronic integratedcircuits. AstroPower proposes the continued development of itsGaAs heteroepitaxial layers on 3 inch diameter siliconsubstrates, to be grown utilizing SLPE, during Phase II. Highquality heterolayers can be used for fabrication of monolithicmicrowave integrated circuits, MMIC, and of monolithic micro-electronic and optoelectronic circuits. The selective liquidphase epitaxial GaAs grown by AstroPower has the advantages of:

o Growth of thick, electrically isolated layers, with thebenefit of reduced disrhcations as a result of SLPE.

o Single crystal growth over the entire masked region,since nucleation occurs only in the vias and lateralovergrowth occurs from the via front.

o Use of an easily scalable process, which can handlewafers up to 8 inch diameter by simple scale-up ofpresent equipment.

These desirable advantages have not been demonstrated by vaporphase epitaxial growth. Continuation of this research willcreate a new material system for microelectronic and optoelec-tronic applications. Production of GaAs/Si 3 inch substrates isplanned for Phase III.

This Phase I Final Report details the six-month researchprogram "Electronic GaAs-on-silicon Material for Advanced High-Speed Optoelectronic Devices" and the significant results of thisresearch as listed below.

4.1 Smooth, device quality GaAs layers, greater than 1 cm2 inarea, have been grown using selective liquid phase epitaxy.

4.2 Device quality, n-dopy9 GaAs layers with a carrierconcentration of 1-2 x 10 were grown by impurity reductionand selective doping of the top GaAs layer.

4.3 GaAs layer quality and uniformity were demonstrated by LEDfabrication.

4.4 The feasibility study and preliminary equipment design forSLPE growth of three inch diameter GaAs on silicon wasprepared.

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5. Research Objectives

The goal of this work was to develop the technology used togrow large area, device quality heteroepitaxial GaAs on silicon.

The procedure used, selective epitaxy, differs fromconventional liquid phase ep.taxial growth. In the selectiveepitaxy procedure, a masking layer is placed on the substratematerial. The passivating masking oxide layer is a thermallygrown, e-beam, or sputtered oxide layer. Small windows ("vias"are then opened in the masking layer using appropriate geometriesand spacing to serve as nucleation sites. Several via geometrieswc_- successfully implerented. Figure 1 shows two of h viageometries that were used.

I 1I I _____

IQu

__I C, C OU 0 U

Figure 1. Nucleation Via Geometries.

Epitaxial growth of the appropriate layer or interlayer occursthrough the vias in the masking layer. Advantages of the viaapproach are that stresses caused by lattice mismatch anddifferential thermal expansion are effectively limited to the viaarea, which is less than 5% of the total wafer area.

The specific objectives for the Phase I research were:

5.1 Prepare smooth, low-defect GaAs layers 1 cm 2 in area by thedouble selective liquid phase epitaxial growth technique.

5.2 Develop semi-insulating GaAs layers by impurity reductionand selective doping of the top GaAs layer.

5.3 Demonstrate GaAs layer quality and uniformity by fabricationof simple devices: majority carrier devices (FET's) andminority carrier devices (LED's).

5.4 Prepare feasibility study and preliminary equipment designfor square geometry (four-inch by four-inch) GaAs-on-silicondouble selective epitaxial wafer growth.

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6. Research work

The Phase I research effort has been an experimentalprogram to develop procedures using selective liquid phase epi-

taxy which implemented the research objectives. In the processof developing crystalline thin-film solar cells, AstroPower hasgained considerable skill and experience into the growth pheno-mena with thin GaAs films from small aperture nucleation sites[8,91. SLPE growth is divided into sequential elements that havebeen described in earlier AstroPower research, 1) wetting, 2)nucleation, and 3) non-impinging crystal growth [10].

The structure which resulted in large area, GaAs on siliconis shown in Figure 2. First, GaP was selectively nucleated in

LaAS 8 9 r l/ Lo Ira Ovegroo.,k

/GoP to os Goraded Lay

GoP

S; 0 2 M.ask

Figure 2. Diagram of SLPE Growth of GaAs on GaP/Si.

the vias. The GaP growth was followed by a transition layerwhich graded the composition from GaP to GaAsP to GaAs. Theaverage transition depths were 2.5 microns. GaAs overgrowthyielded complete device quality GaAs films on silicon. Thetechnical approach used in this program achieved the objectivesby implementing these tasks:

6.1 Selective Wetting and Nucleation of GaAs on masked Sisubstrates with a GaP interlayer.

6.2 Overgrowth of GaAs on GaAs/GaP/Si.

6.3 Characterization of GaAs grown during tasks 6.1 and 6.2.

6.4 Fabrication and testing of an LED on the GaAs/GaP/Si.

6.5 Preparation of a feasibility study and preliminary equipmentdesign for 3 inch diameter GaAs/Si wafers using selectiveliquid phase epitaxy.

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Epitaxial layers were grown in this research using amultiple-bin liquid phase epitaxial slider boat growth apparatussimilar to that used by Nelson [ii]. Advantages of the sliderapparatus over other techniques, such as dipping, are: 1) thesubstrate wafer can easily be brought *n and out of contact withthe melts, 2) several melts can be used in sequence, 3) growth is

restricted to one side of the wafer, 4) substrate-solutioncontact is from the bottom of the melt where there are no float-ing oxides or other contaminants, 5) excess solution can be wipedoff the wafer by the slider action of the boat, and 6) thermalequilibration and temperature profiling are greatly facilitated.The graphite slider apparatus fits into a quartz tube heated by athree or four zone furnace. The furnace zones are controlled towithin +/- l°C. The furnace atmosphere is a flowing high puritypalladium diffused hydrogen.

The fabrication of the GaAs/Si heterostructure by solutiongrowth presented two main problems. First, the 4% latticemismatch between GaAs and Si can hinder or prohibit growth. Thesecond problem, which is unique to solution growth, concerns the

relative solubilities of the compounu being grown and thesubstrate material. Ideally the growth material will have a highsolubility in the solvent selected while the substrate material'ssolubility will be negligible.

Evaluation of the grown layers and overgrowth structures was

by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Chemical etchingand optical microscopy were useful for both the edges of cleavedwafers and top surface analysis. Etchants for silicon, gallium

phosphide, and gallium arsenide are readily available for thisprocedure.

6.1 Selective Wetting and Nucleation of GaAs on masked Sisubstrates with a GaP interlayer.

Large area overgrowth of GaAs on any substrate depends onconsistent nucleation of GaAs on the substrate. GaAs was selec-tively nucleated and overgrown on selectively masked siliconusing the stripe mask and a GaP interlayer. The nucleation meltwas the Sn-Bi melt used in conjunction with growth parameters

which minimized meltback of the substrate and maximized theamount of GaAs held in the melt available for nucleation. Step

cooling or supersaturation were used as the nucleation drivingforce. Uniform wetting of the vias yielded uniform, highpercentage nucleation. Nucleation in vias of differentgeometries is a consistent reproducible process at AstroPower.

Selective stripe epitaxy, SSE, is a growth technique devel-oped at AstroPower which uses heteroepitaxial growth throughstripes in a masked silica layer, examples were shown in FigureI. Photolithography was used to define the vias through anoxide. This oxide can be a thermal or an e-beam oxide. The

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dominant growth mechanism on substrates with (111) orientation isin the Lateral direction, as shown in Figure 3a and in thevertical direction oL substrates with (100) orientation, shown inFigure 3b. Therefore (111) silicon substrates were used.

3a (111) 3b (100)

Figure 3. Dominant crystal growth directions.

Figure 4 shows a cleaved edge selective liquid phase epitaxycrystal on (111) Si. This shows the dominant growth directionand also shows that by using appropriate growth techniques, meltentrapment will not occur as adjacent crystals grow together, andAstroPower's experience is that trapped melt does not exist.

Figure 4. SSE Crystal.

6.2 Overgrowth of GaAs on GaAs/GaP/Si.

The growth structure illustrated in Figure 2 demonstrates animportant attribute of selective epitaxial growth. Devicequality GaAs is obtained by lateral overgrowth over the SiO 2mask. Defects occurring at the initial growth interface in thevias will not propagate laterally into the overgrowth region.This occurs because defects do not bend over, but propagate onlyin one direction, in this case vertically.

Fan [121 has shown in numerous publications that the bound-ary of adjacent coherent overgrowth results in a continuous layerwith no barrier properties. Our previous experience [13,14]

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indicates that high aspect ratios are achievable, offeringconsistent, reproducible results. Higher aspect ratios allow forgreater via spacing. Selective LPE growth has achieved goodresults on (100) and best results on (111) substrates withlamellar overgrowth up to 70 microns over silica maskedsubstrates [151.

This task used (111) Si substrates and developed the lateralovergrowth technique during Phase I. Growth aspects werecontrolled by the nucleation site density and the solute massflux across the convection free boundary layer at the interface.Various ramp cooling rates were used, which optimized localgrowth vectors and surface morphology. Ramp cooling rates at themelt well in the graphite boat were controlled from 0.1 to 1.5°C/min. Multistage rates were used to optimize the transitionfrom vertical to lateral growth.

GaAs layers grown by SSE have reduced thermal mismatch,fewer lattice mismatch dislocations, and limited Si interfacesheet charge since the reduced nucleation area limits interfacearea. Furthermore, offset SSE eliminates lateral tensionaccumulation and between-stripe cracking. Homoepitaxial over-growth of GaAs improves the GaAs/Si heteroepitaxial layer. Theovergrowth layer is of very high structural quality. This isconsistent with Fan's experience where efficient GaAs homoepi-taxial solar cells have been fabricated from predominatelyovergrowth structures [16].

6.3 Characterization of heteroepitaxial GaAs

Implementation of this task was concurrent with the previoustasks. GaAs nucleated crystals and overgrowths obtained duringtasks 6.1 and 6.2 were analyzed to determine morphology, grossimpurities, and dislocations and to assure stoichiometric GaAscomposition. AstroPower has SEM, EDAX, and photoluminescenceequipment which was used for analysis of both top and cleavededge surfaces of the GaAs crystals. This analysis of materialgrown permitted modification of growth parameters duringdevelopment processes for the first two tasks.

6.4 Fabrication and testing of an LED on the GaAs/GaP/Si.

The procedure for fabricating light-emitting diodes usedconventional planar GaAs LED processing technology. Themoderately doped GaAs overgrowth layer was n-type and served asthe base of the LED. Junctions were formed by zinc diffusion orby LPE growth of a heavily doped p-type emitter. The substratewas electrically connected to the heteroepitaxial layer using adegenerately doped nucleation layer. Standard metal contactswere used for back contacts. The top contact was a very thinlayer of a gold-zinc alloy. This thin layer allowed thegenerated light to pass LiILicUqh it.

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6.5 Preparation of a feasibility study and preliminary equipmentdesign for 3 inch diameter GaAs/Si wafers using SLPE

Phase I of this program was concluded with a detailed

examination of the process and equipment required for productionof 3 inch diameter GaAs on silicon wafers. This study integrated

the technology developed during the first four tasks of this

Phase I research conducted using seed wafers. This productionand equipment design drew from AstroPower's experience operating

a pilot line production facility and also a semi-contiIuousliquid phase silicon-film growth apparatus capable of 500 cm pergrowth run which is comparable to ten 3 inch wafers per threehour growth run.

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7. Research Results

The Phase I research results discussed in this section areboth experimental and theoretical activities. These researchresults demonstrate the local growth of GaAs by means ofselective liquid phase epitaxy on silicon substrates. Theseresults and findings provide a strong basis for the Phase IIprogram and further development of this concept.

7.1 Selective Wetting and Nucleation of GaAs on masked Sisubstrates with a GaP interlaver.

7.1.1 GaP Interlayer on Silicon

The experimental work with the GaAs/GaP/Si approach beganwith planar GaP on Si growth, followed by selective GaP on Sigrowth. Figure 5 shows heteroepitaxial GaP in vias grown on<111> silicon substrates using tin as the solvent. This approachhas shown itself to be effective with proper growth parametermodifications. EDAX analysis shows the GaP to be stoichiometricwithout silicon contamination.

Figure 5. GaP Nuclei in Vias Directly on Silicon <111>Substrates.

7.1.2 GaAs on GaP

The GaAs/GaP/Si approach continued by refining AstroPowerGaAs on GaP growth techniques. The process utilized planargrowth to refine the morphology and the transition layerthickness. Figure 6a shows the featureless surface of planarGaAs grown on <111> GaP substrates using a tin-bismuthcomposition as the solvent. The EDAX edge scan analysis ofFigure 6b shows the GaP to GaAs transition to be stoichiometrican] to occur over approximately 2.5 microns.

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a.~~ ~ Ga- onGPb DX fG~/

a.1. GaAs on GaPb.EDX f GcsGa

This set of experiments integrated the results of thepreceding two sets of work. A procedure was designed toincorporate the transition growth of GaAs on GaP with the growthof GaP on Si. Stoichiometric selective growth of GaAs on GaP/Siwas achieved. Figure 7a shows the surface morphology and thebeginning of lateral overgrowth. Figure 7b is an EDAX evaluationof the grown GaAs layer and shows stoichiometric GaAs.

.. ... .. ... .I , Tf

9 A

a. GaAs on GaP/Si b. EDAX of GaAs on GaP/Si

Figure 7. Selective GaAs on GaP/Si.

7.2 Overqrowth of GaAs on GaAs/GaP/Si.

This work extended the three sets of experiments performedin attaining GaAs on GaP/Si. One cm2 areas of selective GaAs onGaP/Si heteroepitaxial layers were grown. Figure 8 shows thesteps followed in achieving selective growth of GaAs on GaP/Si.Selectively nucleated GaP on silicon is shown in 8a. The

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selective quick-grade layer shown in 8b grades from GaP to GaAson GaP/Si. The featureless growth of 8c is lateral overgrowth ofselective GaAs/GaP/Si.

8a. Selective GaP/Si 8b. Selective GaAs/GaP/Si

8c. Lateral Overgrowth: GaAs on GaAs/GaP/Si

Figure 8. SLPE Growth of GaAs on GaP/Si.

This surface quality is good, but can be improved by: a) a moregentle grade from GaP to GaAs and b) careful manipulation of thegrowth parameters. The growth rates were high (10C/min.) and thetransition layer driving force was high. Careful refining ofthese procedures will improve the process during Phase II.

7.3 Characterization of GaAs grown during tasks 7.1 and 7.2.

Implementation of this task was concurrent with the previoustasks. GaAs nucleated crystals and overgrowths obtained duringtasks 7.1 and 7.2 were analyzed to determine morphology, grossimpurities, and dislocations and to assure stoichiometric GaAscomposition. AstroPower has SEM, EDAX, and photoluminescenceequipment which was used for analysis of both top and cleavededge surfaces of the GaAs crystals. This analysis of material

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grown permitted modification of growth parameters du:ing

development processes for the first two tasks.

7.4 Fabrication and demonstration of an LED on the GaAs/GaP/Si.

During Phase I, one cm 2 area selective GaAs on siliconheteroepitaxial layers were grown and monolithic galliumarsenide-on-silicon light emitting diodes were demonstrated.LEDs fabricated from these growths are shown in Figure 9.

a. Off b. On

Figure 9. GaAs/Si LED.

The procedure for fabricating light-emitting diodes usedconventional planar GaAs LED processing technology. Themoderately doped GaAs overgrowth layer was n-type and served asthe base of the LED. Junctions were formed by zinc diffusion orby LPE growth of a heavily doped p-type emitter. The substratewas electrically connected to the heteroepitaxial layer using adegenerately doped nucleation layer. Standard metal contactswere used for back contacts. The top contact was a very thinlayer of a gold-zinc alloy. This thin layer allowed thegenerated light to pass through it.

7.5 Feasibility study and preliminary equipment design for 3inch diameter GaAs/Si wafers using SLPE.

7.5.1 Single wafer, multi-melt horizonal slider.

A single wafer, multi-melt horizonal SLPE slider unit forthree-inch diameter wafers is the first step in the scaling ofthe SLPE technology. The technical issues in the design of thisunit are minimal. Scaling to three-inch wafers entailsincreasing boat and slider lengths and boat width:

Boat length (inches): 3.3(n + 1)where n = number of wells required

Slider length (inches): (2 x Boat length) + 1

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For a 5-well boat, for example, the boat length is 19.8 inchesand the slider is 40.6 inches. The minimum quartz tube diameteris 3.88 inches, based on scaling of horizonal dimensions only.The determination of the minimum number of required boat wells isclearly a key decision in the single-wafer scaling process.

The single wafer multi-melt SLPE system appears to haveminimal technical problems in design and implementation and ishighly feasible for the preparation of three-inch GaAs on siliconmaterial at the prototype level.

7.5.2 Multiwafer, multi-melt batch mode SLPE unit.

Multiwafer LPE processes for high volume production oflight-emitting diodes have been used at various companies for thepast fifteen years. The equipment used at Bell Laboratory andAT&T are described by Saul and Lorimor [17]. The siliconamphoteric-doping of GaAs and AlGaAs, in particular, lends itselfto single melt, multiwafer production LPE growth of both IR andvisible LED's [18]. LPE systems which handle 50 wafers per runare being used in production [19]. In addition to the slider LPEtechnology, multiwafer dipping using the "infinite melt"procedure has been developed by Kamath and coworkers [201 atHughes. However, these techniques are not suited to multiplemelt processes.

In searching for past history of multiwafer, multimelt LPEprocesses, few references are available, and refer to laboratoryscale processes. In particular, Heinen (211 reports on thedesign and successful operation of a 16 wafer, 4-melt LPE slidergrowth system for use with AlGaAs Burrus LED's and InGaAsP onInP. With this system, the InGaAsP quaternary is limited tosingle phase equilibrium growth. Dutt (22,23,241 has revisedHeinen's design to incorporate two-phase melts, necessary forsuccessful InGaAsP quaternary work, but not necessary for GaAs onsilicon material growth.

Centrifugal LPE described by Bauser [25,26] can be used formulti-wafer, multimelt growth. However, its application has beenrestricted to small geometry wafers and to specialized growth ofsuperlattice structures involving the multiple use of two or moremelts. In addition, the multi-layer process is restricted due tothe cyclic nature of the design. In principal there is noreason, except cost, preventing larger geometries from being usedin the centrifugal LPE apparatus.

Having considered these possibilities, the present recommen-dation is to avoid the multiwafer, multimelt LPE design for pro-duction. The complexity and the jamming tendency of the multi-wafer, multimelt boat design outweigh the potential benefits thissystem might offer. The continuous (or semi-continuous) processshould be next in the production level developmental sequence.

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7.5.3 Continuous-mode SLPE unit.

Continuous LPE growth apparatus have been constructed in atleast three major programs:

o Under contract with DOE Sandia National Laboratories,Varian developed a "transient-mode" LPE apparatus [271.This unit has a single load-lock entry/exit for thesingle-wafer carrier. Each melt is pulse-heated fromabove with an individual source wafer (on top of themelt) to supersaturate each melt before the seed waferis inserted prior to growth.

o Takahashi [28 has reported the concept for a large-scale continuous LPE furnace. This furnace usedindividual wafer carriers and had both entry and exitload-lock features. This unit also required a verticaltemperature gradient. Only two melts were described,but additional melts could easily be incorporated.

o AstroPower has designed, constructed, and operated acontinuous LPE process for growth of crystallinesilicon on metallic ribbon material [29]. Thisapparatus is shown in Figure 10 (see pg. 15). Thespeed of the substrate through the growth apparatus hasvaried from 0.1 to 10 cm/min. The continuous processhas led to an uniformity not seen on smaller laboratoryscale growths. Uniform growths with areas over 500 cmhave been accomplished routinely.

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Figure 10. AstroPower's Continuous LPE Apparatus.

The recommendation for the development of continuous modeLPE for GaAs on silicon is to take advantage of the AstroPowerexperience with the silicon-on-ribbon apparatus, described above,adjusting the design to a semi-continuous process. Provisionsfor individual wafer carriers and entrance/exit load-locking in asemi-continuous mode will need to be designed. This work shouldstart early in the Phase II program. This approach has the longterm advantage of eventually combining the GaAs on silicon andthe silicon-on-ribbon technologies.

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8. Conclusion

8.1 Selective liquid phase epitaxial techniques were success-fully applied to the preparation of selective GaAs hetero-epitaxial layers on silicon substrates.

8.2 Selective epitaxial growth of GaAs on Si was successfullyaccomplished by the use of a gallium phosphide interlayerresulting in GaAs on silicon. Appropriate solvent systemswere used to minimize meltback and to enhance lateral growthfree of dislocations.

8.3 LED's fabricated from the present planar structurcz,demonstrate the potential for LPE growth of GaAs on silicon.

8.4 High quality GaAs/Si heterolayers can be used forfabrication of monolithic microwave integrated circuits,MMIC, and of monolithic microelectronic and optoelectroniccircuits.

8.5 These GaAs on Si layers, grown by a commercially viabletechnique, will create a new material system formicroelectronic and optoelectronic applications.

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9. Recommendations

9.1 Continue the development of the technology to achieve largearea, device quality GaAs on silicon during Phase II.Issues remaining are those of integrating the processes tofurther scale up growth area and determining the best pilot-scale production plan.

9.2 Optimization of nucleation and overgrowth techniques usingselective liquid phase epitaxy to improve morphology andmaintain device quality heteroepitaxial structures.

9.3 Demonstration of a simple, high performance, monolithicallyintegrated optical source circuit demonstrating materialquality.

9.4 Liquid-phase epitaxy continues to be the process by whichthe highest quality commercial heterostructure semiconductordevices are produced. For example, recent improvements inAlGaAs light-emitting diodes by heterostructure LPE growthmethods in Japan have resulted in an order of magnitudeimprovement in brightness. Therefore, it is very importantthat the study of LPE heterogrowth be continued.

9.5 Non-equilibrium liquid-phase heteroepitaxial research is anarea that is virtually untapped. Funding for this tech-nology will give balance to programs that are supportingother non-equilibrium epitaxial growth techniques, MBE andMOCVD. This technology can be expected to lead to large,uniform, minimal-defect semiconductor wafers with a broadcontinuum of bandgaps.

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10. References

[i] B.L. Wilson, Plessey Research (Caswell) Ltd., KeynoteAddress, International Conf. on Crystal Growth-VIII, York,England, "The Semiconductor Industry's Continuing Needs inCrystal Growth" July 1986. Published in J. Crystal Growth,79, 3-11, 1986.

[21 R.K. Kostuk, J.W. Goodman, L. Hesselink, "Optical ImagingApplied to Microelectronic Chip-to-Chip Interconnections"Applied Optics, 4, 2851-8 (1985).

[31 J.W. Goodman, F.J. Leonberger, S.-Y. Kung, R.A. Athale,"Optical Interconnections for VLSI Systems" Proc. IEEE, 72,(7), 850-66 (1984).

[4] P.H. Singer, "GaAs on Silicon", Semicond. International,p.71-75, April 1987.

[51 H. Shichijo, J.W. Lee, W.V. McLevige, A.H. Taddiken, "GaAsE/D MESFET l-kbit Static RAM Fabricated on SiliconSubstrate", IEEE Electron Device Letters, EDL-8(3), 121-123,March 1987.

(6] Shichijo, p.121.[7] Singer, p.73.[81 A.M. Barnett, R.B. Hall, D.A. Fardig, J.S. Culik, "Silicon

Film Solar Cells on Steel Substrates", 18th IEEE Photo-voltaic Specialists Conf., p.1094, (Las Vegas, 1985).

[91 J.B. McNeely, R.B. Hall, A.M. Barnett, W.A. Tiller, "Thin-Film Silicon Crystal Growth on Low Cost Substrates"J. Crystal Growth, 70, 420 (1984).

[101 Ibid p. 422.[11] H. Nelson, U.S. Patent No. 3,565,702, February 23, 1971.112) C.O. Bozler, R.W. McClelland and J.C.C. Fan, "The Cleft

Process: A Peeled Film Technique", Inst. Phys. Conf. SeriesNo. 56, Chapter 5, 283 (1981); and J.P. Salerno, R.W. Mc-Clelland, J.C.C. Fan, P. Vohl, and C.O. Bozler, "Growth andCharacterization of Oriented GaAs Bicrystal Layers", 16thIEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf., p.1299, (San Diego,1982).

[13] A.M. Barnett, M.G. Mauk, J.C. Zolper, I.W. Hail,W.A. Tiller, J.B. McNeely, and R.B. Hall, "Thin Film Siliconand GaAs Solar Cells", 17th IEEE Photovoltaic SpecialistsConf., p.747 (Kissimmee, 1984).

[141 A.M. Barnett, M.G. Mauk, J.C. Zolper, R.B. Hall, andJ.B. McNeely, "Thin Film Silicon and GaAs Solar Cells onMetal and Glass Substrates", Technical Digest of theInternational PVSEC-I, Kobe, Japan, 241 (1984).

[15] H. P. Trah, M. I. Alonso, M. Konuma, E. Bauser, H. Cerva, H.P. Strunk, "Liquid Phase Epitaxy of Sil-xGe x (0<x<l) OnPartially Masked Si-Substrates", MRS Spring Mtg., Anaheim,CA, April, 1987.

[16] J.C.C. Fan, C.O. Bozler, and R.W. McClelland, "Thin FilmGaAs Solar Cells", Conf. Rec. 15th IEEE PhotovoltaicSpecialists Conf., 666 (1981) and IEEE Electron DeviceLetters, EDL-2, 203 (1981).

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[171 R.H. Saul, O.G. Lorimor, "Liquid Phase Epitaxy 'rocesses forGaP LED's", J. Crystal Growth, 27, 183-192, 1974.

[18] I. Ladany, J Applied Physics, 42, 654, 1971.[19] Personal communication, Paul J. Shaver, Inmar, Inc., Troy,

N. Y.[201 G. Wolff, S. S. Kamath, G. J. Vendura, "High Efficiency

Solar Panel, Phase II, Callium Arsenide"; Final Report forPeriod Covering September 1977 -- September 1980, TechnicalReport AFWAL-TR-80-2128.

[211 J. Heinen, "Simultaneous Liquid Phase Epitaxial Growth ofMultilayer Structures in a Multislice Boat", J. CrystalGrowth, 58, 596-600, 1982.

[221 B. V. Dutt, D.D. Roccasecca, H. Temkin, W.A. Bonner, "ANovel Multi-Slice LPE Boat. I. Preliminary Results on InGaAsAlloys", J. Crystal Growth, 66, 525-530, 1984.

[23] B. V. Dutt, "Liquid Phase Epitaxy", U.S. Patent No.4,427,464, issued January 24, 1984.

(24] B. V. Dutt, "Constitutional Supercooling in Thin-Melt Multi-Slice Liquid Phase Epitaxy of Undoped InGaAs/InP AlloyStructures", J. Crystal Growth, 84, 163-166, 1^7.

[25] E. Bauser, "The Preparation of Modulated SemiconductorStructures by Liquid Phase Epitaxy", Proceedings NATOAdvanced Research Workshop/Thin Film Growth Technologies,1987.

(26] D. Kass, M. Warth, H. P. Strunk, E. Bauser, "Liquid PhaseEpitaxy of Silicon: Potentialities and Prospects", Physica,129B, 161-165, 1985.

[27] Personal communication, R. L. Moon, HP OptoelectronicComponents Div., Trumble Road, San Jose, California.

(28] K. Takahashi, "Ultra-High Brightness 500 mcd LED", J.Electronic EngineerinQ, 19, 50-54, 1982.

[291 A. M. Barnett, R. B. Hall, D. H. Ford, P. G. Lasswell, J. A.Rand, "Silicon-Film Solar Cell Development", Proc. 7th E. C.Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conf., (D. Reidel, Sevilla, 1986).

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11. Key Personnel

Nancy E. Terranova was a major contributor to the GaAs onsilicon development and in LED fabrication and testing. Ms.Terranova received her BEE from the University of Delaware. Herexperience includes design and faurication skills forheterojunction and homojunction III-V solar cells. Present workinvolves the design and implementation of experiments which willlead to large area, device quality GaAs on silicon, InP onsilicon, and in the development of GaAs on silicon LED's foroptoelectronic ICs. This work utilizes liquid phase epitaxialgrowth of the appropriate structure, followed by materialanalysis, and testing.

Gerald H. Negley was a major contributor to the GaAs onsilicon theoretical development and in LED testing. Mr. Negleyreceived his M.S in Physics from the University of Delaware. Heis presently growing different III-V semiconductor materials byliquid phase epitaxial growth. He has successfully grown GaAsPaye'rs on GaP, GaAsP solar cell structures, GaP on GaAs,

germanium on silicon, silicon layers on GaP as well as the GaAson silicon layers. Reliable ohmic contacts for a wide variety ofIII-V compounds have been developed under Mr. Negley'ssupervision.

Louis C. DiNetta was responsible for material charac-terization of the grown GaAs film by employing our SEM and EDSfacility. Prior to joining AstroPower in December, 1985, Mr.DiNetta spent nine years at the Institute of Energy Conversion,University of Delaware, in the Device Development group. In thatgroup he was responsible for the planning and organization ofall device fabrication, as well as for any process and equipmentdevelopments and/or modifications necessary to support the manyongoing research projects.

James P. Curran, Technician, was responsible for theexperimental selective liquid phase epitaxial growths, substrateand melt preparation. Mr. Curran has worked for 18 yearsprevious to his employment at AstroPower as a technician at theFranklin Mint, Franklin Center, PA.

The principal investigator was James B. McNeely. He has runmajor GaAs manufacturing and GaAsP epitaxial layer manufacturingfacilities for different companies. Mr. McNeely has a M.S. inChemical Engineering. Mr. McNeely brings to the project hisconsiderable knowledge and experience in materials development.He has been responsible for major III-V compound semiconductorbulk and epitaxial layer research and development facilities forMonsanto, Litronix, and M/A-COM Laser Diode Laboratories. Hisexperience includes the organization, startup, and management ofsemiconductor materials operations. He was partially responsible

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for Monsanto's position as the world's leading supplier of III-Vcompounds in the 1960's. Since joining AstroPower, Mr. McNeelyhas been involved with growing and characterizing epitaxiallayers of GaAs, GaAsP, and GaP on a variety of substrates.

The General Manager of AstroPower Division is Dr. Allen M.Barnett. Dr. Barnett has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering fromCarnegie Mellon Institute of Technology. He has successfully ledthree different organizations into positions of technical leader-ship in the development of high-technology products. Thesegroups included a major industrial research and development lab-oratory, a start-up company and a university applied researchinstitute. Dr. Barnett has planned and implemented all the stepsnecessary to take a new concept from the laboratory through pro-duct development and into the marketplace. Dr. Barnett is anexperienced inventor and has been the recipient of four IR-100awards for the development of industrial products and sevenpacents. A Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Universityof Delaware, he has established undergraduate and graduate levelsemiconductor device fabrication programs using both silicon andthe III-V compounds. He is developing advanced semiconductordevices based on the heteroepitaxial growth of semiconductors onsilicon, III-V, and non-crystalline substrates. These devicesinclude thin-film polycrystalline silicon, thin-film galliumarsenide, and other III-V compound solar cells. He is alsodeveloping hybrid silicon/GaAs and silicon/germanium opticallyinterconnected circuits.

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