| Literature DB >> 35040457 |
Lucas Güniat1, Lea Ghisalberti1, Li Wang2, Christian Dais2, Nicholas Morgan1, Didem Dede1, Wonjong Kim1, Akshay Balgarkashi1, Jean-Baptiste Leran1, Renato Minamisawa3, Harun Solak2, Craig Carter4, Anna Fontcuberta I Morral1,5.
Abstract
Large-scale patterning for vapor-liquid-solid growth of III-V nanowires is a challenge given the required feature size for patterning (45 to 60 nm holes). In fact, arrays are traditionally manufactured using electron-beam lithography,for which processing times increase greatly when expanding the exposure area. In order to bring nanowire arrays one step closer to the wafer-scale we take a different approach and replace patterned nanoscale holes with Si nanopillar arrays. The method is compatible with photolithography methods such as phase-shift lithography or deep ultraviolet (DUV) stepper lithography. We provide clear evidence on the advantage of using nanopillars as opposed to nanoscale holes both for the control on the growth mechanisms and for the scalability. We identify the engineering of the contact angle as the key parameter to optimize the yield. In particular, we demonstrate how nanopillar oxidation is key to stabilize the Ga catalyst droplet and engineer the contact angle. We demonstrate how the position of the triple phase line at the SiO2/Si as opposed to the SiO2/vacuum interface is central for a successful growth. We compare our experiments with simulations performed in surface evolver™ and observe a strong correlation. Large-scale arrays using phase-shift lithography result in a maximum local vertical yield of 67% and a global chip-scale yield of 40%. We believe that, through a greater control over key processing steps typically achieved in a semiconductor fab it is possible to push this yield to 90+% and open perspectives for deterministic nanowire phase engineering at the wafer-scale.Entities:
Year: 2022 PMID: 35040457 PMCID: PMC8802830 DOI: 10.1039/d1nh00553g
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Nanoscale Horiz ISSN: 2055-6756 Impact factor: 10.989
Fig. 1Schematic detailing the fabrication steps of SiO2/Si(111) pillars for self-catalyzed VLS GaAs NW growth. (a and b) The resist spin-coating process, (b and c) The RIE step and (c and d) the last wet etching before MBE loading. (e) Shows the very critical Ga predeposition step followed by (f) showing NW growth.
Fig. 2Aspects and statistics of NW growths done on EBL-patterned SiO2/Si pillars. (a) SEM image (20° tilt) showing vertical GaAs NWs grown on SiO2/Si (111) pillars. (b) Vertical yield as a function of pillar nominal diameter. (c) SEM images showing Ga droplets on top of SiO2/Si pillars of different nominal diameters. (d) Contact angle and yield as a function of pillar nominal diameter for pillars as shown in c. The optimum contact angle is identified as the one showing the best vertical yield.
Fig. 3(a) Schematics showing the increase in droplet volume with SiO2/Si pillar diameter at a fixed contact angle. (b) Vertical yield as a function of SiO2/Si pillar nominal diameter for Ga predeposition times of 10 min, 15 min and 20 min.
Fig. 4(a) Schematics showing the change in SiO2/Si pillar nominal diameter for a fixed Si core diameter and Ga dropelt volume. (b) Vertical yield as a function of the SiO2/Si pillar nominal diameter for nominal oxidations of 10 nm, 30 nm and 50 nm.
Fig. 5Results of simulations done on Surface Evolver™. The graph shows the droplet apparent angle, i.e. contact angle, for dSiO/dSi ratios of 0.56, 0.62, 0.71, 0.83, 1 and 1.25.
Fig. 6SEM images showing (a) PSL-patterned Si pillars after RIE, (b) after 70 nm nominal dry oxidation and (c) a cross-section of a SiO2/Si pillar after 160 nm dry oxidation. Scale bars are 100 nm.
Fig. 7Self-catalyzed VLS growth of GaAs NWs on SiO2/Si (111) PSL pillars. (a) Large-scale array showing a 40% vertical yield. (b) Local vertical yield of 67% from a spin-coating comet. (c–e) TEM bright-field images of ZB and WZ nanowires coming from the same SiO2/Si large-scale array. The WZ FFT is visible. (f and g) WZ GaAs NW and the SiO2/Si pillar where it grew from. The pillar's Si core and SiO2 shell are visible.