Improvement of surface roughness by ultra-thin film deposition with oxygen cluster ion beam assist deposition

2002 ◽  
Vol 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriaki Toyoda ◽  
Isao Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Thin Film Deposition ◽  
Film Deposition ◽  
Average Roughness ◽  
Original Surface ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam

ABSTRACTTa2O5 films were deposited on a rough surface (average roughness 1.3nm, peak-to-valley 14nm) and surface roughness evolutions and improvements by O2 gas cluster ion beam (O2-GCIB) assisted deposition was studied. The average roughness dramatically decreased from 1.3nm to 0.5nm after deposition of Ta2O5 films 20nm in thickness with 7 keV of O2 cluster ion beams. As there was no etching or sputtering of Ta2O5 film by 7keV O2-GCIB irradiations, O2-GCIB assist deposition realized significant improvement of surface roughness by additional deposition of Ta2O5 film whose thickness was close to the peak-to-valley of original surface. It is expected that morphological evolution of the film by GCIB assist deposition becomes completely different from conventional ion assist deposition due to energetic cluster ion impacts.

Surface Smoothing Effects of Materials Used in Underlayer of MTJ with Gas Cluster Ion Beams

MRS Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 357-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriaki Toyoda
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Random Access ◽  
Resistive Random Access Memory ◽  
Surface Smoothing ◽  
Smoothing Effects ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam

ABSTRACTSurface smoothing of Ru used as underlayer of magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJ) in magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) was carried out with gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) in order to improve device characteristics. For Ru films, surface smoothing with 5 kV N2-GCIB irradiation was effective, and CoFe films deposited on smoothed Ru surface also showed smooth surface. From the hysteresis loop measurements of MTJ formed on smoothed Ru with N2-GCIB, it showed improvement of inter-layer coupling magnetic field (Hin) with decreasing the surface roughness of underlayer Ru. It is expected that surface roughness of MgO in MTJ was also improved by smoothing of underlayer Ru with N2-GCIB.

Lateral Sputtering by Gas Cluster Ion Beams and its Applications to Atomic Level Surface Modification

1995 ◽  
Vol 396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isao Yamada ◽  
Jiro Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Ion Beam ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Surface Cleaning ◽  
Ion Beams ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Average Roughness ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Size

AbstractGas cluster ion beam equipment (max. voltage 30kV) for sputtering has been developed. Cluster ion beams from gaseous materials such as Ar, O2, N2 and compound materials such as SF6, N2O, CO2 can be generated by expanding them through a Laval nozzle into a high-vacuum region. With this equipment sputtering process fundamentals have been studied. One of the unique characteristics of gas cluster ion bombardment is lateral sputtering. This is shown experimentally by measuring the angular distribution of sputtered atoms and is predicted by molecular dynamics simulation. Dependencies of sputtering yield (10-1000 times higher than for the monomer ion case) on cluster ion size and on ion beam energy for different substrate surfaces have been obtained. Examples of surface smoothing (typically less than 1 nm average roughness) on metals, semiconductors and insulators and of surface cleaning are presented.

Smoothing Thin Films with Gas-Cluster Ion Beams

2000 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.B. Fenner ◽  
J. Hautala ◽  
L.P. Allen ◽  
J.A. Greer ◽  
W.J. Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Spin Valve ◽  
High Spatial Frequency ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Tantalum Films ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam

ABSTRACTThin-film magnetic sensor and memory devices in future generations may benefit from a processing tool for final-step etching and smoothing of surfaces to nearly an atomic scale. Gas-cluster ion-beam (GCIB) systems make possible improved surface sputtering and processing for many types of materials. We propose application of GCIB processing as a key smoothing step in thin-film magnetic-materials technology, especially spin-valve GMR. Results of argon GCIB etching and smoothing of surfaces of alumina, silicon, permalloy and tantalum films are reported. No accumulating roughness or damage is observed. The distinct scratches and tracks seen in atomic-force microscopy of CMP-processed surfaces, are removed almost entirely by subsequent GCIB processing. The technique primarily reduces high spatial-frequency roughness and renders the topographic surface elevations more nearly gaussian (randomly distributed).

Etching and Surface Smoothing with Gas-Cluster Ion Beams

1999 ◽  
Vol 585 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Fenner ◽  
R. P. Torti ◽  
L. P. Allen ◽  
N. Toyoda ◽  
A. R. Kirkpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Science ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Surface Processing ◽  
Figures Of Merit ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Clusters ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam ◽  
Microelectronic Materials ◽  
Very High

AbstractSurface processing of microelectronic materials by bombardment with nanoparticles of condensed gases (i.e., clusters) in the form of an ion beam, makes possible etching and smoothing of those surfaces to very high figures of merit. As this is not possible with any conventional ion method, gas-cluster ion-beam systems have great potential in manufacturing. The formation of gas clusters and their collision with surfaces provides an interesting arena for novel physics and surface science. This paper outlines a physical model for the clusters and surface interactions, and provides examples of surface processing. In particular, the reduction of surface roughness while etching by cluster-ion bombardment is illustrated for various materials utilized in microelectronics.

scholarly journals J111022 Changes of Surface Roughness and Surface Energy of Glass Surfaces with Gas Cluster Ion Beam Treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 (0) ◽  
pp. _J111022-1-_J111022-3
Author(s):  
Katsuya NAMBA ◽  
Hiroyuki SAKAKIBARA ◽  
Hedong ZHANG ◽  
Yasunaga MITSUYA ◽  
Kenji FUKUZAWA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Surface Energy ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam Treatment ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam ◽  
Glass Surfaces

Application of Cluster Ion Beam Smoothing to SiC and YBCO Surfaces

1999 ◽  
Vol 585 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fathy ◽  
O. W. Holland ◽  
R. Liu ◽  
J. Wosik ◽  
W. K Chu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Topography ◽  
Ion Irradiation ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
High Temperature Superconductors ◽  
Cluster Ions ◽  
Microwave Surface Resistance ◽  
Average Roughness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cluster Ion Beams ◽  
Cluster Ion

AbstractOptimization of the surface topography, especially in high-temperature superconductors (HTS) and silicon carbide is crucial for device processing. Surface smoothing in these materials was investigated using Gas Cluster Ion Beams (GCIB) capable of delivering cluster ions of ≥ 2000 Ar atoms with energies of up to 30keV. Examination of the surface topography after cluster-ion irradiation was done using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that typical as-deposited YBCO films on MgO substrates have an average roughness of the order of 40 nm, and interpeak distance between 300–600 nm. Application of GCIB to the surface planarization reduces the roughness to only 10 nm. Also power handling and microwave surface resistance of the YBCO film and its relationship to surface smoothness are reported. Similar observations using bulk SiC are discussed.

Roughness Analysis of Episurfaces Grown on Ion-Beam Processed GaSb Substrates

2004 ◽  
Vol 829 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Krishnaswami ◽  
D. B. Fenner ◽  
S. R. Vangala ◽  
C. Santeufemio ◽  
M. Grzesik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Molecular Beam Epitaxial ◽  
Power Spectral ◽  
Sharp Point ◽  
Roughness Analysis ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Gas Cluster Ion Beam ◽  
Substrate Surfaces

ABSTRACTHigh-quality GaSb substrates with minimal surface roughness and thin, uniform oxide layers are critical for developing low-power, epitaxy-based, electronic and optoelectronic devices. Ion-beam processing techniques of gas-cluster ion beam (GCIB) and bromine ion-beam assisted etching (Br-IBAE) were investigated as to their potential for improving the suitability of substrate surfaces for molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth. Statistical analysis of the residual surface roughness provides insight into ion-beam processing and its impact on epitaxial growth. Images of episurfaces grown on chemical mechanical polished (CMP), Br-IBAE, and GCIB finished substrates were obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and these were statistically analyzed to characterize their surface roughness properties. Autocorrelation analysis of the first two types of episurfaces showed a quick loss of correlation within ∼100 nm. The episurface with Br-IBAE also showed isotropic mound roughness with sharp point-like protrusions. The GCIB prepared episurfaces exhibited the formation of uniform step-terrace patterns with monatomic steps and wide terraces as indicated by the strong, long range (>0.5 μm) correlations. Statistical analysis of the GCIB episurfaces showed self-similar random fractal behavior over eight orders of magnitude in the power spectral density (PSD) with a fractal dimension of ∼2.5.

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