Optical characterization of heavy-ion induced damage in 4H-SiC

H H. Goncalves de Medeiros (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) G G. Felaco (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) C C. Martinella (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) S S. S. Faria (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) M M. Belanche Guadas (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) A A. C. Ulibarri (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,) S S. Peracchi (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,) R R. Drury (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,) Z Z. Pastuovic (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,) J J. Reuteler (Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy (ScopeM), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 5 , Zurich,) R R. Di Capua (Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini,” Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II 6 , Naples,) U U. Grossner (Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,)

Abstract

The interaction between silicon carbide and heavy ions is governed by both the material properties of SiC and the characteristics of the heavy ions. Relevant heavy-ion parameters include the total stopping power (S), its components, electronic stopping power (Se) and nuclear stopping power (Sn), the linear energy transfer, and the ion energy, while irradiation conditions are characterized by the fluence. This study examines how the parameters of the incoming ions influence the total number of silicon vacancies (VSi) generated, the damage to the crystal structure, and, consequentially, the induced strain. Heavy-ion–induced damage was characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that increasing S at the surface increases VSi concentration, reduces crystallinity, and introduces broad Raman features, whereas low S values at the surface can improve the crystalline quality. The strain induced by heavy ions exhibits distinct S-dependent trends depending on Sn and the fluence. These findings advance the understanding of SiC–heavy-ion interactions by clarifying the impact of S and fluence on VSi formation and crystal damage.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 139, Issue 12
Published March 28, 2026
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

H

H. Goncalves de Medeiros

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

G

G. Felaco

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

C

C. Martinella

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

S

S. S. Faria

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

M

M. Belanche Guadas

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

A

A. C. Ulibarri

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,

S

S. Peracchi

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,

R

R. Drury

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,

Z

Z. Pastuovic

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) 4 , New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234,

J

J. Reuteler

Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy (ScopeM), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 5 , Zurich,

R

R. Di Capua

Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini,” Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II 6 , Naples,

U

U. Grossner

Advanced Power Semiconductor Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich 1 , Physikstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich,