Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:35:24.112Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An Evaluation of Simplified Models for Surface Kinetics in Movpe Processes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Max Tirtowidjojo
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
Richard Pollard
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
Get access

Abstract

A general MOVPE model has been used to assess the applicability of simplified representations for surface kinetics. With the general model, predictions for GaAs deposition on (111 )Ga using trimethylgallium and arsine show excellent agreement with observed growth rates. However, if Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics is assumed, the model only matches the deposition rates over a narrow range of operating conditions, even when several rate-limiting steps are included. This limitation arises because combinations of equilibrium constants and local partial pressures often do not give reasonable approximations for the surface concentrations of reactive intermediates. The form of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood relation(s) and the parameter values can be fitted empirically to experimental data, but this could lead to erroneous conclusions concerning process behavior and the model would have limited predictive capabilities. An alternative approach is to use surface reaction probabilities, but they can only be applied in an empirical fashion and their magnitudes depend on gas flow rate, inlet composition, and reactor pressure as well as surface temperature.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Tirtowidjojo, M. and Pollard, R., J. Cryst. Growth 93, 108 (1988).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Tirtowidjojo, M. and Pollard, R., J. Cryst. Growth, submitted for publication.Google Scholar
3. Reep, D.H. and Ghandhi, S.K., J. Electrochem. Soc. 130, 675 (1983).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Shastry, S.K., in Initial Stages of Eluitaxial Growth, edited by Hull, R., Gibson, J.M., and Smith, D.A. (Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 94, Pittsburgh, PA 1987) pp. 267272.Google Scholar
5. Coltrin, M.E., Kee, R.J., and Miller, J.A., J. Electrochem. Soc. 133, 1206 (1986).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Moffat, H.K. and Jensen, K.F., J. Electrochem. Soc. 135, 459 (1988).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Hill, C.G., Jr., An Introduction to Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design (J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1977).Google Scholar
8. Tirtowidjojo, M. and Pollard, R., to be published.Google Scholar
9. Arthur, J.R., Surf. Sci. 43, 449 (1974).CrossRefGoogle Scholar