In situ synchrotron X-ray topography observation of double-ended Frank-Read sources in PVT-grown 4H-SiC wafers

We present in-situ observations of the dynamical operation of multiple double-ended Frank-Read dislocation sources in a PVT-grown 4H-SiC wafer under thermal gradient stresses. The nucleation of these sources is facilitated by a specific configuration consisting of one basal plane dislocation (BPD) segment pinned by two threading edge dislocations (TEDs). This configuration is formed during PVT crystal growth by deflection of TEDs on to the basal planes by macrosteps and re-deflection of resulting BPDs back into TEDs. Under the influence of thermal gradient stresses induced by heating inside a double ellipsoidal mirror furnace, the pinned BPD segment glides and activates dislocation multiplication by the double Frank-Read source mechanism. A more intricate mechanism of swapping of TED pinning points between Frank-Read sources lying on same basal plane is identified, enabling one dislocation loop to effectively “pass through” the other dislocations on same basal plane.