Protection of semiconductor substrates during epitaxial growth processes

摘要

Thermal degradation of compound single crystal substrates (e.g., InP) containing a relatively volatile element (e.g., P) prior to LPE growth has been virtually eliminated by an improved protection technique. A partial pressure of the volatile element is provided by a solution (e.g., Sn-In-P) localized inside a chamber which is external to the LPE boat and which surrounds substrate prior to growth, thereby preventing thermal damage to the substrate surface. Applicability of the technique to other epitaxial growth processes (e.g., VPE and MBE) is also discussed.