Improvement of SiC deposition uniformity in CVD reactor by showerhead with baffle

The growth uniformity of silicon carbide (SiC) by halide chemical vapour deposition (HCVD) is influenced by equipment configuration, and a uniform film can be obtained by optimising the chamber structure. An SiC deposition kinetics model is studied in this work, and a detailed chemical reaction mechanism is incorporated into a model reaction chamber to verify the deposition kinetics model. We studied the influence of hole size of showerhead, baffle size, and baffle positioning on the growth uniformity. Further, we then optimised the process parameters using an orthogonal experimental method. Reducing the hole size of showerhead led to a “double peak” in the deposition rate across the substrate from the edge to both sides, which first increased and then decreased. The “double peak” disappeared upon reduction of hole size. With an increase in baffle size, the growth uniformity first increased and then decreased. Moreover, the baffle displacement had little effect on the deposition rate when the baffle-to-showerhead distance was at least 45 mm. Meanwhile, the growth uniformity gradually worsened when the baffle distance was reduced. The showerhead and baffle reduced the extreme difference in deposition rate across the effective deposition area by improving the spatial velocity distribution within the reaction chamber. A uniform SiC film could be obtained using the proposed optimisation method. Furthermore, the results of the orthogonal experimental method showed that the deposition rate increased by 57.8%, and the uniformity of growth standard deviation decreased by 18% compared with the ground state. This study provides theoretical guidance for future optimisations of CVD chambers.