US20010041433A1 - Method for doping spherical semiconductors - Google Patents
Method for doping spherical semiconductors Download PDFInfo
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- US20010041433A1 US20010041433A1 US09/769,571 US76957101A US2001041433A1 US 20010041433 A1 US20010041433 A1 US 20010041433A1 US 76957101 A US76957101 A US 76957101A US 2001041433 A1 US2001041433 A1 US 2001041433A1
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- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 90
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 51
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 44
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000012159 carrier gas Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- JKWMSGQKBLHBQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N diboron trioxide Chemical compound O=BOB=O JKWMSGQKBLHBQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910011255 B2O3 Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron nitride Chemical group N#B PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910000410 antimony oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- ADCOVFLJGNWWNZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N antimony trioxide Inorganic materials O=[Sb]O[Sb]=O ADCOVFLJGNWWNZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- VTRUBDSFZJNXHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxoantimony Chemical compound [Sb]=O VTRUBDSFZJNXHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- YEAUATLBSVJFOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetraantimony hexaoxide Chemical compound O1[Sb](O2)O[Sb]3O[Sb]1O[Sb]2O3 YEAUATLBSVJFOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000004767 nitrides Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 229910052787 antimony Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N antimony atom Chemical compound [Sb] WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910052582 BN Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- DLYUQMMRRRQYAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetraphosphorus decaoxide Chemical compound O1P(O2)(=O)OP3(=O)OP1(=O)OP2(=O)O3 DLYUQMMRRRQYAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910020269 SiP2 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052810 boron oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003486 chemical etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010574 gas phase reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012431 wafers Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
- H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
- H01L21/67098—Apparatus for thermal treatment
- H01L21/67109—Apparatus for thermal treatment mainly by convection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
- H01L21/22—Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into or out of a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regions; Interactions between two or more impurities; Redistribution of impurities
- H01L21/2225—Diffusion sources
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
- H01L21/22—Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into or out of a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regions; Interactions between two or more impurities; Redistribution of impurities
- H01L21/223—Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into or out of a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regions; Interactions between two or more impurities; Redistribution of impurities using diffusion into or out of a solid from or into a gaseous phase
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/0248—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof characterised by their semiconductor bodies
- H01L31/0352—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
- H01L31/035272—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/035281—Shape of the body
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
- H01L31/1804—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof comprising only elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/547—Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a method for doping spherical-shaped semiconductors.
- the doping process involves the controlled introduction of an impurity to a substrate, which produces subtle changes in the electrical resistivity of the material. Such characteristics are necessary for solid-state electronic semiconductor devices, such as the transistor.
- a doped silicon substrate is created by adding the doping impurity directly into the melt during the crystal-pulling process.
- the final crystal is a uniformly doped one, from which wafers may be cut to serve as doped substrates.
- the single crystal substrates are not produced from a melt, but rather are made by remelting polycrystalline silicon granules which are grown by gas-phase reaction in a fluidized bed reactor.
- the random and turbulent nature of the fluidized bed process makes the attainment of sample-to-sample doping uniformity difficult. Therefore, the granules cannot be doped during growth in the fluidized bed, and must be doped by external means.
- the present invention accordingly, provides a method for doping spherical semiconductors.
- one embodiment provides a receiver for receiving semiconductor spheres and a dopant powder.
- the semiconductor spheres and dopant powder are then directed to a chamber defined within an enclosure.
- the chamber maintains a heated, inert atmosphere with which to diffuse the dopant properties of the dopant powder into the semiconductor spheres.
- the method of doping a plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors includes: embedding the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors in a dopant mixture to produce a powder mixture; heating the powder mixture to produce a plurality of doped spherical shaped semiconductors; cooling the doped spherical shaped semiconductors; removing the doped spherical shaped semiconductors from the powder mixture; and chemically etching the doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
- the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are made from a commercially available semiconductor material.
- the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are p-type spherical single crystal substrates.
- the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are n-type spherical single crystal substrates.
- the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are oxidized spherical shaped semiconductors.
- the dopant mixture is a mixture of a dopant oxide and silicon dioxide.
- the dopant mixture is a dopant nitride.
- the dopant mixture is a mixture of antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ).
- the dopant mixture is a mixture of boric oxide/silicon dioxide (B 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ).
- heating the powder mixture comprises diffusion and/or viscous flow along the surface of the spherical shaped semiconductors.
- the dopant mixture is boron nitride (BN).
- the method is done in a non-oxidizing environment.
- the method further includes melting the doped spherical shaped semiconductors to produce uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors and cooling the uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for use in doping spherical semiconductors according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for doping a spherical shaped semiconductor using the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in use during the method of FIG. 2.
- FIGS. 4 - 6 are cross-sectional views of apparatuses for use in doping spherical semiconductors according to other embodiments of the present invention.
- the present invention provides a method for doping substrates.
- the following description provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Certain techniques and components described in these different embodiments may be combined to form more embodiments. Also, specific examples of components, chemicals, and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.
- the reference numeral 10 designates, in general, one embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors.
- the apparatus 10 includes a chamber 12 having a furnace 14 surrounding the chamber.
- the chamber 12 has an inlet port 16 at one end for connecting to an inlet line 18 .
- the inlet line 18 is used for allowing a gas source 20 to enter the chamber 12 .
- the chamber 12 includes a boat 22 which can be held in place by a base 24 which is connected to one or more legs 26 .
- the boat 22 may be, for example, quartz or alumina. In a preferred embodiment, the boat 22 is quartz.
- the chamber 12 also includes an outlet line 28 for exhausting the gas source 20 .
- a method 100 may be used in conjunction with the apparatus 10 .
- the method 100 is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere.
- a plurality of spherical semiconductors 30 is placed in the boat 22 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 may be, for example, any commercially available spherical semiconductor material, any oxidized spherical semiconductor material, an n-type spherical single crystal substrate, or a p-type spherical single crystal substrate.
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are silicon.
- a dopant mixture 32 is placed in the boat 22 containing the spherical semiconductors 30 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are embedded within the dopant mixture 32 .
- the dopant mixture 32 preferably has particles that are approximately less than 1 ⁇ m in size.
- the dopant mixture 32 may be, for example, any dopant oxide mixed with silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) or any dopant nitride.
- the dopant mixture 32 is an antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ) mixture.
- the ratio of the dopant oxide/silicon dioxide mixture is chosen to maximize the viscosity of the dopant mixture 32 and to maximize the amount of the dopant oxide in the dopant mixture 32 .
- the boat 22 is placed within the chamber 12 and the chamber 12 is subjected to a predetermined thermal cycle.
- antimony oxide is transferred from the dopant mixture 32 to the surface of the spherical semiconductors 30 . This is accomplished by diffusion and/or viscous flow along the surface of the powder particles of the dopant mixture 32 which are in intimate contact with the spherical semiconductors 30 .
- elemental antimony is further diffused to a shallow depth into the spherical semiconductors 30 .
- the boat 22 is cooled and removed from the chamber 12 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are doped with antimony and are removed from the dopant mixture 32 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony are chemically etched to remove any oxide/powder layer.
- the spherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony may be chemically etched by any commercially available chemical etching process.
- the method 100 further includes melting the spherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony to produce spherical semiconductors 30 uniformly doped with antimony upon cooling.
- the dopant mixture 32 is a boric oxide/silicon dioxide (B 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ) mixture.
- the semiconductors 30 would first be oxidized (in a prior, separate step), and then mixed with and submersed in a bed of BN powder. During the process, the BN powder would react and bond with the oxide on the surface of the spherical semiconductors and the transfer of Boron would take place. After the process, the semiconductors 30 would be chemically etched to remove the layer of oxide/powder. The process would be done under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the BN powder, thus allowing it to be reused fro subsequent treatments.
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are a p-type spherical single crystal substrate and the dopant mixture 32 is an antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ) mixture.
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are doped to produce a p-n junction near the surface of the spherical semiconductors 30 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are an n-type spherical single crystal substrate and the dopant mixture 32 is a boron oxide/silicon dioxide (B 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ) mixture.
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are doped to produce a p-n junction near the surface of the spherical semiconductors 30 .
- the spherical semiconductors 30 are oxidized spherical semiconductors and the dopant mixture 32 is boron nitride (BN).
- the reference numeral 150 designates, in general, another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors.
- the apparatus 150 includes a chamber 152 having two furnaces 154 , 156 associated with the chamber.
- the chamber 152 has an inlet port 158 at one end and an opposing outlet port 160 .
- the apparatus 150 can be used with the method 100 , as described above.
- the inlet port 158 is used for allowing a carrier gas 162 to enter the chamber 152 , similar to the carrier gas from the gas source 20 of FIG. 1.
- the chamber 152 includes a first boat 164 and a second boat 166 , both similar to the boat 22 of FIG. 1.
- the first boat 164 and the first heater 154 are positioned in a first area of the chamber 152 , herein designated as the diffusion zone 168 .
- the second boat 166 and the second heater 156 are positioned in a second area of the chamber 152 , herein designated as the vaporization zone 170 .
- the diffusion zone 168 and the vaporization zone 170 are illustrated as being in a single, common chamber 152 , in other embodiments, they may be in separate chambers.
- the first boat 164 includes a plurality of spherical semiconductors 30 and the second boat 166 has the dopant mixture 32 .
- the dopant mixture 32 may be as described in FIG. 3.
- the dopant mixture 32 and the spherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in the different zones 168 , 170 .
- the temperature of the vaporization zone 170 may be higher than that of the diffusion zone 168 .
- the dopant material 32 is heated by the heater 156 and vaporizes in the vaporization zone 170 .
- the carrier 160 moves through the vaporization zone 170 and carries the vaporized dopant into the diffusion zone 168 .
- the vaporized dopant comes in uniform contact with the spherical semiconductors 30 . Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors. Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through the outlet 160 .
- the reference numeral 200 designates, in general, yet another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors.
- the apparatus 200 includes a first chamber 202 having a furnace 204 .
- the chamber 202 has an inlet port 206 at one end connected by a coupling 208 to a second chamber 210 . Opposing the inlet 206 is an outlet port 212 .
- the apparatus 200 can be used with the method 100 , as described above.
- the first chamber 202 is connected to a rotating device 214 for rotating the chamber, as illustrated by the arrows 216 .
- the rotator 214 may be any mechanical means, such as a small motor assembly.
- the rotation 216 allows a plurality of spherical semiconductors 30 to move inside the first chamber 202 .
- the second chamber 210 does not have to rotate. Instead, the coupling 208 allows the first and second chambers 202 , 210 to remain connected while only one rotates. In other embodiments, the second chamber 210 may also rotate.
- the second chamber 210 also includes a heater 220 and the dopant mixture 32 , such as is described in FIG. 3. However, like the embodiment of FIG. 4, the dopant mixture 32 and the spherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in the different chambers 202 , 210 For example, the temperature of the second chamber 210 may be higher than that of the first chamber 202 .
- the dopant material 32 is heated by the heater 220 and vaporizes in the second chamber 210 .
- a carrier gas 160 moves through the second chamber 210 and associates with the vaporized dopant.
- the carrier gas and vaporized dopant then move into the first chamber 202 .
- the vaporized dopant comes in contact with the spherical semiconductors 30 . Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors.
- the rotation 216 of the first chamber 202 helps to encourage uniform contact between the vaporized dopant and the spherical semiconductors 30 . Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through the outlet 212 .
- the reference numeral 250 designates, in general, still another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors.
- the apparatus 250 includes a chamber 252 having a furnace 204 .
- the furnace 204 of FIG. 6 is illustrated as a conductive coil, although many types of heaters can be used.
- the chamber 252 has an inlet port 256 and an opposing outlet port 258 .
- the chamber 152 also includes a boat 164 , similar to that shown in FIG. 4, for containing a plurality of spherical semiconductors 30 .
- the apparatus 250 can be used with the method 100 , as described above.
- the inlet port 256 of the chamber 252 is connected to a dopant sleeve 260 associated with a heater 262 .
- the dopant sleeve 260 includes a solid dopant material such as Sb 2 O 3 /P 2 O 5 , B 2 O 3 , BN, P, Sb, or SiP 2 O 7 .
- the solid dopant material may be similar to the dopant material 32 of FIG. 3.
- the dopant material from the sleeve 269 and the spherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in the different chambers 252 , 210
- the dopant material in the sleeve 260 is heated by the heater 262 and vaporizes.
- a carrier gas 160 moves through the dopant sleeve 260 and associates with the vaporized dopant.
- the carrier gas and vaporized dopant then move into the chamber 252 .
- the vaporized dopant comes in contact with the spherical semiconductors 30 . Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors.
- Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through the outlet 258 .
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Abstract
A method for doping crystals is disclosed. The method includes a receiver for receiving semiconductor spheres and doping powder. The semiconductor spheres and dopant powder are then directed to a chamber defined within an enclosure. The chamber maintains a heated, inert atmosphere with which to diffuse the dopant to the semiconductor spheres.
Description
- This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/178,213 filed on Jan. 26, 2000.
- The invention relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a method for doping spherical-shaped semiconductors.
- The doping process involves the controlled introduction of an impurity to a substrate, which produces subtle changes in the electrical resistivity of the material. Such characteristics are necessary for solid-state electronic semiconductor devices, such as the transistor.
- In the conventional semiconductor industry, a doped silicon substrate is created by adding the doping impurity directly into the melt during the crystal-pulling process. The final crystal is a uniformly doped one, from which wafers may be cut to serve as doped substrates.
- In the case of spherical semiconductors, the single crystal substrates are not produced from a melt, but rather are made by remelting polycrystalline silicon granules which are grown by gas-phase reaction in a fluidized bed reactor. The random and turbulent nature of the fluidized bed process makes the attainment of sample-to-sample doping uniformity difficult. Therefore, the granules cannot be doped during growth in the fluidized bed, and must be doped by external means.
- In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,097, 5,995,776, and 5,223,452, methods and apparatuses for doping spherical-shaped semiconductors are disclosed. However, an improved method of doping the spherical shaped semiconductors, which is simpler and more economical, is desired.
- The present invention, accordingly, provides a method for doping spherical semiconductors. To this end, one embodiment provides a receiver for receiving semiconductor spheres and a dopant powder. The semiconductor spheres and dopant powder are then directed to a chamber defined within an enclosure. The chamber maintains a heated, inert atmosphere with which to diffuse the dopant properties of the dopant powder into the semiconductor spheres.
- In one embodiment, the method of doping a plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors includes: embedding the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors in a dopant mixture to produce a powder mixture; heating the powder mixture to produce a plurality of doped spherical shaped semiconductors; cooling the doped spherical shaped semiconductors; removing the doped spherical shaped semiconductors from the powder mixture; and chemically etching the doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
- In one embodiment, the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are made from a commercially available semiconductor material.
- In one embodiment, the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are p-type spherical single crystal substrates.
- In one embodiment, the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are n-type spherical single crystal substrates.
- In one embodiment, the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are oxidized spherical shaped semiconductors.
- In one embodiment, the dopant mixture is a mixture of a dopant oxide and silicon dioxide.
- In one embodiment, the dopant mixture is a dopant nitride.
- In one embodiment, the dopant mixture is a mixture of antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb2O3/SiO2).
- In one embodiment, the dopant mixture is a mixture of boric oxide/silicon dioxide (B2O3/SiO2).
- In one embodiment, heating the powder mixture comprises diffusion and/or viscous flow along the surface of the spherical shaped semiconductors.
- In one embodiment, the dopant mixture is boron nitride (BN).
- In one embodiment, the method is done in a non-oxidizing environment.
- In one embodiment, the method further includes melting the doped spherical shaped semiconductors to produce uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors and cooling the uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for use in doping spherical semiconductors according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for doping a spherical shaped semiconductor using the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in use during the method of FIG. 2.
- FIGS.4-6 are cross-sectional views of apparatuses for use in doping spherical semiconductors according to other embodiments of the present invention.
- The present invention provides a method for doping substrates. The following description provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Certain techniques and components described in these different embodiments may be combined to form more embodiments. Also, specific examples of components, chemicals, and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.
- Referring to FIG. 1, the
reference numeral 10 designates, in general, one embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors. Theapparatus 10 includes achamber 12 having afurnace 14 surrounding the chamber. Thechamber 12 has aninlet port 16 at one end for connecting to aninlet line 18. - The
inlet line 18 is used for allowing agas source 20 to enter thechamber 12. Thechamber 12 includes aboat 22 which can be held in place by a base 24 which is connected to one ormore legs 26. Theboat 22 may be, for example, quartz or alumina. In a preferred embodiment, theboat 22 is quartz. Thechamber 12 also includes anoutlet line 28 for exhausting thegas source 20. - Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a
method 100 may be used in conjunction with theapparatus 10. Themethod 100 is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere. Atstep 102, a plurality ofspherical semiconductors 30 is placed in theboat 22. Thespherical semiconductors 30 may be, for example, any commercially available spherical semiconductor material, any oxidized spherical semiconductor material, an n-type spherical single crystal substrate, or a p-type spherical single crystal substrate. In a preferred embodiment, thespherical semiconductors 30 are silicon. - At
step 104, adopant mixture 32 is placed in theboat 22 containing thespherical semiconductors 30. Thespherical semiconductors 30 are embedded within thedopant mixture 32. Thedopant mixture 32 preferably has particles that are approximately less than 1 μm in size. Thedopant mixture 32 may be, for example, any dopant oxide mixed with silicon dioxide (SiO2) or any dopant nitride. In a preferred embodiment, thedopant mixture 32 is an antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb2O3/SiO2) mixture. The ratio of the dopant oxide/silicon dioxide mixture is chosen to maximize the viscosity of thedopant mixture 32 and to maximize the amount of the dopant oxide in thedopant mixture 32. - At
step 106, theboat 22 is placed within thechamber 12 and thechamber 12 is subjected to a predetermined thermal cycle. In a preferred embodiment, at the process temperature, antimony oxide is transferred from thedopant mixture 32 to the surface of thespherical semiconductors 30. This is accomplished by diffusion and/or viscous flow along the surface of the powder particles of thedopant mixture 32 which are in intimate contact with thespherical semiconductors 30. In a preferred embodiment, elemental antimony is further diffused to a shallow depth into thespherical semiconductors 30. - At
step 108, theboat 22 is cooled and removed from thechamber 12. Thespherical semiconductors 30 are doped with antimony and are removed from thedopant mixture 32. - At step110, the
spherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony, are chemically etched to remove any oxide/powder layer. Thespherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony may be chemically etched by any commercially available chemical etching process. - In an alternate embodiment, the
method 100 further includes melting thespherical semiconductors 30 doped with antimony to producespherical semiconductors 30 uniformly doped with antimony upon cooling. - In an alternate embodiment of the
method 100, thedopant mixture 32 is a boric oxide/silicon dioxide (B2O3/SiO2) mixture. In this embodiment, thesemiconductors 30 would first be oxidized (in a prior, separate step), and then mixed with and submersed in a bed of BN powder. During the process, the BN powder would react and bond with the oxide on the surface of the spherical semiconductors and the transfer of Boron would take place. After the process, thesemiconductors 30 would be chemically etched to remove the layer of oxide/powder. The process would be done under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the BN powder, thus allowing it to be reused fro subsequent treatments. - In an alternate embodiment of the
method 100, thespherical semiconductors 30 are a p-type spherical single crystal substrate and thedopant mixture 32 is an antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb2O3/SiO2) mixture. Thespherical semiconductors 30 are doped to produce a p-n junction near the surface of thespherical semiconductors 30. - In an alternate embodiment of the
method 100, thespherical semiconductors 30 are an n-type spherical single crystal substrate and thedopant mixture 32 is a boron oxide/silicon dioxide (B2O3/SiO2) mixture. Thespherical semiconductors 30 are doped to produce a p-n junction near the surface of thespherical semiconductors 30. - In an alternate embodiment of the
method 100, thespherical semiconductors 30 are oxidized spherical semiconductors and thedopant mixture 32 is boron nitride (BN). - Referring now to FIG. 4, the
reference numeral 150 designates, in general, another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors. Theapparatus 150 includes achamber 152 having twofurnaces chamber 152 has aninlet port 158 at one end and an opposingoutlet port 160. Theapparatus 150 can be used with themethod 100, as described above. - The
inlet port 158 is used for allowing a carrier gas 162 to enter thechamber 152, similar to the carrier gas from thegas source 20 of FIG. 1. Thechamber 152 includes afirst boat 164 and asecond boat 166, both similar to theboat 22 of FIG. 1. - The
first boat 164 and thefirst heater 154 are positioned in a first area of thechamber 152, herein designated as thediffusion zone 168. Thesecond boat 166 and thesecond heater 156 are positioned in a second area of thechamber 152, herein designated as thevaporization zone 170. Although thediffusion zone 168 and thevaporization zone 170 are illustrated as being in a single,common chamber 152, in other embodiments, they may be in separate chambers. - In the present embodiment, the
first boat 164 includes a plurality ofspherical semiconductors 30 and thesecond boat 166 has thedopant mixture 32. Thedopant mixture 32 may be as described in FIG. 3. However, in the present embodiment, thedopant mixture 32 and thespherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in thedifferent zones vaporization zone 170 may be higher than that of thediffusion zone 168. - In operation, the
dopant material 32 is heated by theheater 156 and vaporizes in thevaporization zone 170. Thecarrier 160 moves through thevaporization zone 170 and carries the vaporized dopant into thediffusion zone 168. At this time, the vaporized dopant comes in uniform contact with thespherical semiconductors 30. Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors. Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through theoutlet 160. - Referring now to FIG. 5, the
reference numeral 200 designates, in general, yet another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors. Theapparatus 200 includes afirst chamber 202 having afurnace 204. Thechamber 202 has aninlet port 206 at one end connected by acoupling 208 to asecond chamber 210. Opposing theinlet 206 is anoutlet port 212. Theapparatus 200 can be used with themethod 100, as described above. - The
first chamber 202 is connected to arotating device 214 for rotating the chamber, as illustrated by thearrows 216. Therotator 214 may be any mechanical means, such as a small motor assembly. Therotation 216 allows a plurality ofspherical semiconductors 30 to move inside thefirst chamber 202. - The
second chamber 210 does not have to rotate. Instead, thecoupling 208 allows the first andsecond chambers second chamber 210 may also rotate. Thesecond chamber 210 also includes a heater 220 and thedopant mixture 32, such as is described in FIG. 3. However, like the embodiment of FIG. 4, thedopant mixture 32 and thespherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in thedifferent chambers second chamber 210 may be higher than that of thefirst chamber 202. - In operation, the
dopant material 32 is heated by the heater 220 and vaporizes in thesecond chamber 210. Acarrier gas 160 moves through thesecond chamber 210 and associates with the vaporized dopant. The carrier gas and vaporized dopant then move into thefirst chamber 202. At this time, the vaporized dopant comes in contact with thespherical semiconductors 30. Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors. Therotation 216 of thefirst chamber 202 helps to encourage uniform contact between the vaporized dopant and thespherical semiconductors 30. Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through theoutlet 212. - Referring now to FIG. 6, the
reference numeral 250 designates, in general, still another embodiment of an apparatus used for the doping of spherical semiconductors. Theapparatus 250 includes achamber 252 having afurnace 204. Thefurnace 204 of FIG. 6 is illustrated as a conductive coil, although many types of heaters can be used. Thechamber 252 has aninlet port 256 and an opposingoutlet port 258. Thechamber 152 also includes aboat 164, similar to that shown in FIG. 4, for containing a plurality ofspherical semiconductors 30. Theapparatus 250 can be used with themethod 100, as described above. - The
inlet port 256 of thechamber 252 is connected to adopant sleeve 260 associated with aheater 262. Thedopant sleeve 260 includes a solid dopant material such as Sb2O3/P2O5, B2O3, BN, P, Sb, or SiP2O7. The solid dopant material may be similar to thedopant material 32 of FIG. 3. Like the embodiment of FIG. 4, the dopant material from the sleeve 269 and thespherical semiconductors 30 are kept separate from each other. In this way, different processing environments can be maintained in thedifferent chambers - In operation, the dopant material in the
sleeve 260 is heated by theheater 262 and vaporizes. Acarrier gas 160 moves through thedopant sleeve 260 and associates with the vaporized dopant. The carrier gas and vaporized dopant then move into thechamber 252. At this time, the vaporized dopant comes in contact with thespherical semiconductors 30. Diffusion may then occur on the semiconductors. Exhaust 172 from the process may be expelled through theoutlet 258. - Several advantages result from the above-described embodiments. For one, the spherical semiconductors seldom, if ever, come in physical contact with any other device or any part of the
apparatus 10. - It is understood that several variations may be made in the foregoing. For example, different heating mechanisms may be used with the apparatus. Other modifications, changes and substitutions are also intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims (18)
1. A method of doping a plurality of three dimensional substrates, the method comprising the steps of:
embedding the plurality of three dimensional substrates in a dopant mixture to produce a powder mixture;
heating the powder mixture to produce a plurality of doped three dimensional substrates;
cooling the doped three dimensional substrates;
removing the doped three dimensional substrates from the powder mixture; and
etching the doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
2. The method of , wherein the plurality of three dimensional substrates are spherical shaped semiconductors.
claim 1
3. The method of , wherein the plurality of three dimensional substrates are polycrystalline semiconductor substrates.
claim 1
4. The method of , wherein the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are p-type spherical single crystal substrates.
claim 2
5. The method of , wherein the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are n-type spherical single crystal substrates.
claim 2
6. The method of , wherein the plurality of spherical shaped semiconductors are oxidized spherical shaped semiconductors.
claim 2
7. The method of , wherein the dopant mixture is a mixture of a dopant oxide and silicon dioxide.
claim 2
8. The method of , wherein the dopant mixture is a dopant nitride.
claim 2
9. The method of , wherein the dopant mixture is a mixture of antimony oxide/silicon dioxide (Sb2O3/SiO2).
claim 2
10. The method of , wherein the dopant mixture is a mixture of boric oxide/silicon dioxide (B2O3/SiO2).
claim 2
11. The method of , wherein heating the powder mixture comprises diffusion and viscous flow along the surface of the spherical shaped semiconductors.
claim 2
12. The method of , wherein heating the powder mixture comprises viscous flow along the surface of the spherical shaped semiconductors.
claim 2
13. The method of , wherein the dopant mixture is boron nitride (BN).
claim 2
14. The method of , further comprising:
claim 2
providing a non-oxidizing environment during the heating step.
15. The method of , further comprising:
claim 2
melting the doped spherical shaped semiconductors to produce uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors; and
cooling the uniformly doped spherical shaped semiconductors.
16. An apparatus for doping a plurality of three dimensional substrates, the apparatus comprising:
a chamber having a diffusion zone and a vaporization zone;
a first carrier located in the diffusion zone for containing the plurality of three dimensional substrates;
a second carrier located in the vaporization zone for containing a dopant;
a heater associated with the vaporization zone for vaporizing the dopant; and
an inlet for a carrier gas;
whereby the carrier gas may move through the vaporization zone to combine with the vaporized dopant, and then to the diffusion zone to provide the vaporized dopant to the plurality of three dimensional substrates.
17. An apparatus for doping a plurality of spherical substrates, the apparatus comprising:
a chamber for containing the plurality of spherical substrates;
a rotator for rotating the chamber about an axis;
an inlet to the chamber; and
a source for a vaporized dopant, the source being connected to the inlet;
whereby a carrier gas, combine with the vaporized dopant, may move through the inlet to provide the vaporized dopant to the plurality of spherical substrates; and
wherein the plurality of spherical substrates are rotated by the rotation of the chamber about the axis to promote uniform diffusion.
18. An apparatus for doping a plurality of three dimensional substrates, the apparatus comprising:
a chamber for containing the plurality of three dimensional substrates;
a carrier located in the chamber for containing the plurality of three dimensional substrates;
a dopant sleeve located outside of the chamber;
an inlet connecting the chamber to the dopant sleeve; and
a heater for vaporizing the dopant sleeve to produce a vaporized dopant;
whereby a carrier gas, combine with the vaporized dopant, may move through the inlet to provide the vaporized dopant to the plurality of three dimensional substrates.
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