Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T01:17:28.077Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Inversion Domain Boundaries and Oxygen Accommodation in Aluminum Nitride

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

R. A. Youngman
Affiliation:
BP Research, Warrensville Research Center, 4440 Warrensville Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128
J. H. Harris
Affiliation:
BP Research, Warrensville Research Center, 4440 Warrensville Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128
P. A. Labun
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Center for Solid State Studies, Tempe, AZ 85287
R. J. Graham
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Center for Solid State Studies, Tempe, AZ 85287
J. K. Weiss
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Center for Solid State Studies, Tempe, AZ 85287
Get access

Abstract

Aluminum nitride is known to have a large affinity for oxygen as an impurity. At high levels (>∼4 wt/o) the oxygen is incorporated in the form of planar stacking faults where “pure” 2H AIN is regularly interspersed with a layer of oxygen at the faults. At oxygen levels lower than ∼ 4 wt/o the structure shows an expanded c-axis. The present authors have not observed this effect, rather a random distribution of stacking faults is observed along with another, more prevalent, extended defect identified as an inversion domain boundary (IDB). The IDBs are significantly aplanar (indicating a low interface energy), and often have precipitates and other, faceted defects associated with them. The role of these defects in oxygen accommodation in AIN has been investigated both structurally and chemically by electron optical methods (SEM, TEM, STEM, HREM, CBED, EDS, EELS, and CL-TEM). The structural nature of the boundaries, in the absence of oxygen, requires Al-Al or N-N bonding to occur with some frequency across the boundary. Such bonding is unlikely due to the excess energy required. Chemical analysis (EELS) and luminescence studies (CL-TEM) reveal that oxygen is often associated with the boundaries and may mediate the bonding at the boundary. A model is proposed for the IDB which includes structural aspects combined with considerations of stoichiometry in an effort to understand the origin and energetics of this defect.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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

1. Ramsdell, L.S., Amer. Mineral. 32, 64 (1947).Google Scholar
2. Van Tendeloo, G., Faber, K.T., and Thomas, G., J. Mater. Sci. 1, 525 (1983).Google Scholar
3. Jack, K.H., J. Mater. Sci. 11, J. Mater. Sci. 11, 1135 (1976).Google Scholar
4. Youngman, R.A., Proc. Elec. Micros. Soc. Amer., Ed. Bailey, G.W., (San Francisco: San Francisco Press), 547 (1988).Google Scholar
5. Slack, G.A., J. Phys. Chem. Solids 34, 321 (1973).Google Scholar
6. Denanot, M.F. and Rabier, J., J. Mater. Sci. 24, 1594 (1989).Google Scholar
7. Hagege, S., Tanaka, S., and Ishida, Y., J. Japan Inst. Metals 52, 1192 (1988).Google Scholar
8. Westwood, A.D. and Notis, M.R., J. Amer. Cer. Soc. (in press).Google Scholar
9. McKernan, S. and Carter, C.B., Proc. Elec. Micros. Soc. Amer., Ed. Bailey, G.W., (San Francisco:San Francisco Press), 432 (1989).Google Scholar
10. Yamamato, N., Spence, J.C.H., Hazelton, D., Higgs, A., and Berg, M., Proc. Elec. Micros. Soc. Amer., (San Francisco: San Francisco Press), 146 (1983).Google Scholar
11. Pastrnak, J. and Roskovcova, L., Phys. Stat. Sol. 26, 591 (1968).Google Scholar
12. Harris, J.H. and Youngman, R.A., these proceedings.Google Scholar