Influence of substrate biasing on structural, chemical and electrical properties of Al2O3 thin films deposited by PEALD

High-k materials are needed to minimise the gate leakage current in high-speed and high-power switching applications. In this regard, aluminium oxide (Al2O3) deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is gaining extensive attention to be used as high-k material in microelectronics. In this work, we studied the effect of substrate biasing during the oxidizing plasma step on physical, chemical and electrical properties of Al2O3 thin films grown by PEALD on silicon substrate. We show that the structural and electrical properties such as the flat band voltage, and chemical composition can be tuned with the applied substrate bias. Indeed, we highlight that the dielectric constant of the MIS capacitor decreases from 8.5 to 6.5 and the charge polarity of the film is modulated from negative to positive when the applied substrate bias is increased. Using morphological and structural characterisations, we show that the substrate bias significantly affects the chemical composition of Al2O3 thin film layer. Moreover, we highlight by cross-sectional transmission electron the presence of an interfacial layer between Si and Al2O3 which could significantly influence the electrical properties of the deposited thin film. The chemical composition of this interfacial layer can be controlled by the applied substrate bias. Using a series of energy dispersive x-ray experiments, we further confirm the formation of aluminosilicate under low substrate bias condition while silicon oxide is formed under high bias. These findings show that the substrate biasing plays a critical role in defining physical, chemical as well as electrical properties of the PEALD Al2O3 thin films.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence factors of the physical, chemical, and electrical properties of PEALD Al2O3 thin films on a silicon substrate. The results show that the structural, electrical, and chemical properties of the films can be tuned by adjusting the substrate bias. Additionally, the composition of the interfacial layer can be controlled by the applied substrate bias. These findings are important for the application of high-k materials.