Gd2O3 films were grown epitaxially on Si(111) substrates at various growth temperatures and buffer layer using an effusion cell. X-ray diffraction and Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy analysis indicated that the deposited films were epitaxial, ...
Gd2O3 films were grown epitaxially on Si(111) substrates at various growth temperatures and buffer layer using an effusion cell. X-ray diffraction and Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy analysis indicated that the deposited films were epitaxial, however, the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed an interfacial layer formation on the silicon substrate. A Gd silicide layer was generated at an interface during the initial growth stage of the Gd2O3 film in the absence of a buffer layer due to strong interactions between elemental Gd and the Si substrate, while a silicate layer was predominant at the interface when buffer layers were present. Gd2O3 films with a buffer layer exhibited improved interfacial characteristics, crystalline quality, and thermal stability, compared to a Gd2O3 film without buffer layers.In order to profoundly illuminate interfacial reaction, Zr incorporated Gd2O3 films were grown with the same growth condition. The structural characteristics of epitaxial Gd2O3 were maintained on the Si (111) substrate when the Zr is co-deposited along with Gd. The incorporation of ZrO2 into Gd2O3 improved the crystallinity of the film and no interfacial layers were observed. In particular, the structural stability with no deformation was greatly enhanced and silicate formation was drastically suppressed up to an annealing temperature of 800℃ compared to Gd2O3 with no Zr because of a significant reduction in interfacial reactions.To study electrical properties, epitaxial Gd2(Zr)O3 films were applying to the MOS device. The interfacial defects caused by extensive interactions between Gd and Si are also minimized and a flat interface is maintained up to an annealing temperature of 800℃. The interface trap charge of the film was ~ 1012 cm-2, which was somewhat high because the interfacial state on Si(111) and oxide(111) surface was much higher than that of the (100) plane. The calculated dielectric constant of Gd2(Zr)O3 film was about 15~25.