RECOMBINATION ACTIVITY OF IRON-RELATED COMPLEXES IN SILICON

Recombination centres related to Fe complexes in p type Si are studied by carrier lifetime measurements using non-destructive microwave and light induced absorption techniques. The cross correlation of lifetime , density of electrically active Fe species, and structural defects is used to investigate the transformation and the precipitation of indif fused Fe. The recombination activity of Fe related defects is found to depend on the injection level of excess carriers. Both thermal and ph otoactivation mechanisms are employed to decompose Fe-B pairs and to s tudy the impact on the recombination time. The increase of high level injection lifetime due to photodissociation of Fe-B pairs is explained by a more efficient recombination via an acceptor level at E(c)-0.29 eV which has been derived from the temperature dependence of carrier l ifetime. The mechanism of a recombination enhanced defect reaction is discussed on the basis of the experimental observations.