Bulk growth of single crystal silicon carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a promising wide bandgap semiconductor material particularly suitable for future high power devices operable at high temperatures (>200 °C), at high frequencies, and in harsh environments (chemical and radiation) due to its unique physical and crystallographic properties. The absence of SiC liquid phase, under easily achievable growth conditions of pressure and temperature has created unique challenges for crystal growers.This paper reviews the basics of bulk growth processes, including source sublimation, mass transport of the Si and C species to the growing seed and crystallization. The growth process is shown to be a self-congruent phenomenon where the mass transport of the vapor species and the heat dissipation at the surface of phase transformation are interrelated. This process results in reduction of the growth velocity as a function of crystal thickness. Major mechanisms of defect generation in the grown crystal are discussed.