In order to analyze the epitaxial growth of cubic silicon carbide by sublimation epitaxy on different substrates, four different 6H-SiC substrate preparations were used: (i) as-received, (ii) re-polished, (iii) annealed and covered by silicon layer and (iv) with (1 1 1) 3C-SiC buffer layer. Almost 100% coverage and low twin density was achieved when grown on the buffer layer. The XRD and TEM characterizations show better material quality when the layer is grown directly on 6H-SiC substrates. Background doping evaluated by LTPL is in the range of 10(16) cm(-3) for N and 10(16) cm(-3) for Al in all grown layers. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.