Growth of single crystalline GeSn alloy epilayer on Gd₂O₃/Si (111) engineered insulating substrate using RF sputtering and solid phase epitaxy

The article showcases a low-cost, low-temperature deposition and HVM technique to develop single crystalline GeSn alloy epilayers on Gd₂O₃/Si (111) substrate. First, GeSn alloy amorphous layer is deposited on the insulating substrates using an Radio Frequency (RF) sputtering apparatus. Subsequently, an inductively coupled plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) process is used to deposit a SiO₂ capping layer to protect against Sn out-diffusion during heat treatment. The samples are then subjected to solid phase epitaxy (SPE) at 450 °C, 550 °C, and 650 °C. Sample processed for SPE at 450 °C has weak crystallinity and only shows Type-A stacking. Those processed for SPE at 550 °C and 650 °C, on the other hand, have revealed formation of the single-crystalline GeSn alloy epilayer with Type-A and Type-B stacking. However, SPE at 650 °C revealed tin out-diffusion and segregation effects. This work is significant for enabling the preparation of high-Sn-content GeSn alloy epilayers on insulating Gd₂O₃/Si (111) substrates, as it requires the initial deposition of a GeSn amorphous alloy epilayer using RF sputtering. This advancement promises benefits which includes advantages such as lower operating voltage, reduced leakage current, and minimized parasitic and short-channel effects, making it ideal for advancing RF technology.