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Authors Schutzeichel, C. ; Kiriy, N. ; Kiriy, A. ; Voit, B.
Title Self-replication of deeply buried doped silicon structures, which remotely control the etching process: a new method for forming a silicon pattern from the bottom up
Date 12.07.2021
Number 59551
Abstract A typical microstructuring process utilizes photolithographic masks to create arbitrary patterns on silicon substrates in a top-down approach. Herein, a new, bottom-up microstructuring method is reported, which enables the patterning of n-doped silicon substrates to be performed without the need for application of etch-masks or stencils during the etching process. Instead, the structuring process developed herein involves a simple alkaline etching performed under illumination and is remotely controlled by the p-doped micro-sized implants, buried beneath a homogeneous n-doped layer at depths of 0.25 to 1 µm. The microstructuring is realized because the buried implants act upon illumination as micro-sized photovoltaic cells, which generate a flux of electrons and increase the negative surface charge in areas above the implants. The locally increased surface charge causes a local protection of the native silicon oxide layer from alkaline etching, which ultimately leads to the microstructuring of the substrate. In this way, substrates having at their top a thick layer of homogeneously n-doped silicon can be structured, reducing the need for costly, time-consuming photolithography steps.
Publisher Advanced Functional Materials
Wikidata Q108004206
Citation Advanced Functional Materials 31 (2021) 2100105
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/ADFM.202100105
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