Epitaxial beta-SiC films have been grown on mirror-polished Si(111) substra
tes using bias-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition at a substra
te temperature of 1000 degrees C. A graphite plate was used as the carbon s
ource, and the silicon source came from the silicon substrate itself. The g
as phase in the system is hydrogen only. Atomic hydrogen produced by hot fi
laments reacted with the graphite to form hydrocarbon radicals, which furth
er reacted with the silicon substrate and deposited as beta-SiC. The effect
of negative bias applied to the substrate is the key factor for epitaxial
growth. Under the growth conditions without the negative bias applied, only
polycrystalline beta-SiC was obtained. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All
rights reserved.