Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.433, 97-104, 2016
Characteristic morphologies of triangular defects on Si-face 4H-SiC epitaxial films
Triangular defects with a characteristic morphology consisting of a 3C-type structure were investigated on Si-face 4H-SiC epitaxial films using electron microscopy. Two types of triangular defects were investigated: one with a single valley on the surface along the [11 (2) over bar0] direction and another with several parallel ridges and valleys called "washboard-like defects". The defects with a single valley had a characteristic domain structure consisting of four 3C crystals, which is similar to that of previously reported comet-shaped defects on the C-face. It is shown that the 3C domain in the washboard-like defect is covered by 4H layers with a washboard-like morphology. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.