X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron spin resonance studies on O2 and N2O plasma oxidation of silicon

O2 and N2O plasma oxidation of (111) and (100)Si on the anode is investigated in detail mainly using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR). The oxide growth rate estimated using ellipsometry is discussed. ESR observation reveals that at the SiO2-(111)Si interface formed by plasma oxidation there are Si dangling bonds similar to those in amorphous Si in addition to Pb centres. The Pb centre density at the SiO2-(111)Si interface formed by N2O plasma oxidation is comparable with that formed by thermal oxidation. It is also suggested that the oxide growth mode on Si in the initial stage is two-dimensional growth.