Formation of Si Nanocrystals in Thin SiO2 Films for Memory Device Applications
2010 ◽
Vol 644
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pp. 101-104
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Keyword(s):
X Ray
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X-ray Diffraction and Reflectivity, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were applied to study the effect of thermal annealing on the properties of thin SiOx films (~ 15 nm) prepared by thermal evaporation of SiO in vacuum. It has been shown that furnace annealing at 1000 oC causes phase separation and formation of uniformly distributed Si nanocrystals into a SiO2 matrix. Clockwise hysteresis has been observed in the C-V curves measured and explained by assuming charging and discharging of the NCs with carriers, which tunnel from the Si substrate.