System and process for high-density, low-energy plasma enhanced vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract

A process for epitaxial deposition of compound semiconductor layers includes several steps. In a first step, a substrate is removably attached to a substrate holder that may be heated. In a second step, the substrate is heated to a temperature suitable for epitaxial deposition. In a third step, substances are vaporized into vapor particles, such substances including at least one of a list of substances, comprising elemental metals, metal alloys and dopants. In a fourth step, the vapor particles are discharged to the deposition chamber. In a fifth step, a pressure is maintained in the range of 10^−3 to 1 mbar in the deposition chamber by supplying a mixture of gases comprising at least one gas, wherein vapor particles and gas particles propagate diffusively. In a sixth optional step, a magnetic field may be applied to the deposition chamber. In a seventh step, the vapor particles and gas particles are activated by a plasma in direct contact with the sample holder. In an eighth step, vapor particles and gas particles are allowed to react, so as to form a uniform epitaxial layer on the heated substrate by low-energy plasma-enhanced vapor phase epitaxy.