Korean Institute of Surface Engineering

pISSN : 1225-8024 | eISSN : 3399-8403


공학

한국표면공학회지 (32권2호 83-92)

A study of the GaN etch properties using inductively coupled Cl$_2$-based plasmas

유도 결합형 Cl$_2$계 플라즈마를 이용한 GaN 식각 특성에 관한 연구

김현수;이재원;김태일;염근영;

성균관대학교 재료공학과;삼성종합기술원 광반도체연구실;

Abstract

GaN etching was performed using planar inductively coupled $Cl_2$-based plasmas and the effects of main process parameters on the characteristics of the plasmas and their relations to GaN etch rates were studied. Also, the GaN etch mechanism was investigated using a Langmuir probe and optical emission spectroscopy (OES) during the etching, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the etched surfaces. The GaN etch rates increased with the increase of chlorine radical density and ion energy, and a vertical etch profile haying the etch rate close to 4000 $AA$/min could be obtained. The addition of 10% Ar to $Cl_2$ gas increased the GaN etch rate and the addition of Ar (more than 20%) and HBr generally reduced the GaN etch rate. The GaN etch rate appeared to be more affected by the chemical reaction between Cl radicals and GaN compared to the physical sputtering itself under the sufficient ion bombardments to break GaN bonds.

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