Annealing effects of Schottky contacts on the characteristics of 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes

This paper reports on the relationship between the microstructure and the device performance of Pt/4H-SiC schottky barrier diodes ( SBDs). The evolution of microstructure in the metal/SiC interfaces annealed at different temperatures was characterized using X-ray scattering techniques. The reverse characteristics of the devices were degraded with annealing temperatures. The maximum breakdown voltages of as-deposited devices and 850 degrees C annealed devices are 1300 V and 626 V, respectively. However, the forward characteristics of the devices were found out to improve with annealing temperatures. X-ray scattering analysis showed that Pt-silicides were formed by annealing performed at or higher than 650 degrees C. The formation of silicides was shown to increase the roughness of the Pt/SiC interface. It is believed that the forward characteristics of the SBDs be strongly dependent on the crystallity of silicides formed in the Pt/SiC interface during the annealing process.