POINT-DEFECTS AND DISORDERING PROCESSES IN ALUMINUM NITRIDE

Information concerning the preparation, physicochemical properties, an d applications of aluminum nitride is summarized. Evidence is presente d that the properties of AlN materials in technological applications a re controlled by point defects. Equations describing defect formation in aluminum nitride by the Schottky, Frenkel, and anti-Frenkel mechani sms are derived, and solutions relating defect concentration to equili brium nitrogen partial pressure are obtained, The assumption is made t hat the dominant nonstoichiometric point defects in aluminum nitride a re aluminum vacancies.