Ion beam synthesis of Te and Bi nanoclusters in silicon: The effect of post-implantation high frequency electromagnetic field

Abstract The post-implantation effect of high frequency electromagnetic field (HFEMF) on the microstructure and electrical properties of high dose Te + and Bi + implanted (1 0 0) Si was investigated by cross-sectional high resolution transmission electron microscopy and four-point probe electrical measurements. Te and Bi nanoclusters (NCs) embedded in amorphized Si have been formed by ion implantation. Post-implantation treatment with HFEMF reorganizes the cluster shape and distribution by stimulation of spinodal decomposition and ordering of Te NCs to a percolation system. The effect of HFEMF on Bi NCs is assumed to be connected with the formation of electrical microcurrents causing local heating of their interfaces with the a-Si matrix. The results of electrical measurements show that the HFEMF application reduces the sheet resistance by a factor of about 6 for Te + and about 3 for Bi + irradiation.