China ICP Plasma Etch System Manufacturers, Suppliers, Factory

Silicon Carbide (SiC) has emerged as a key material in the field of semiconductor technology, offering exceptional properties that make it highly desirable for various electronic and optoelectronic applications. The production of high-quality SiC single crystals is crucial for advancing the capabilities of devices such as power electronics, LEDs, and high-frequency devices. In this article, we delve into the significance of porous graphite in the Physical Vapor Transport (PVT) method for 4H-SiC single crystal growth.

Crystal growth is the core link in the production of Silicon Carbide substrates, and the core equipment is the crystal growth furnace. Similar to traditional crystalline silicon-grade crystal growth furnaces, the furnace structure is not very complex and mainly consists of a furnace body, a heating system, a coil transmission mechanism, a vacuum acquisition and measurement system, a gas path system, a cooling system, a control system, etc., among which Thermal field and process conditions determine the quality, size, conductive properties and other key indicators of Silicon Carbide crystals.

Currently, many semiconductor devices employ mesa device structures, which are predominantly created through two types of etching: wet etching and dry etching. While the simple and rapid wet etching plays a significant role in semiconductor device fabrication, it has inherent drawbacks such as isotropic etching and poor uniformity, which result in limited control when transferring small-sized patterns. Dry etching, however, with its high anisotropy, good uniformity, and repeatability, has become prominent in semiconductor device fabrication processes. The term “dry etching” broadly refers to any non-wet etching technology used for removing surface materials and transferring micro and nano patterns, including laser etching, plasma etching, and chemical vapor etching. The dry etching discussed in this text specifically pertains to the narrow application of processes using plasma discharge—either physical or chemical—to modify material surfaces.

Within the silicon carbide (SiC) industry chain, substrate suppliers hold significant leverage, primarily due to value distribution. SiC substrates account for 47% of the total value, followed by epitaxial layers at 23%, while device design and manufacturing constitute the remaining 30%. This inverted value chain stems from the high technological barriers inherent to substrate and epitaxial layer production. Three major challenges plague SiC substrate growth: stringent growth conditions, slow growth rates, and demanding crystallographic requirements. These complexities contribute to increased processing difficulty, ultimately resulting in low product yields and high costs. Furthermore, the epitaxial layer’s thickness and doping concentration are critical parameters directly impacting the final device performance.

Both epitaxial and diffused wafers are essential materials in semiconductor manufacturing, but they differ significantly in their fabrication processes and target applications. This article delves into the key distinctions between these wafer types.