Epitaxial Y-stabilized ZrO2 films on silicon: Dynamic growth process and interface structure

Abstract

We have studied the initial stage of the growth of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films on natively oxidized (100) Si wafer by pulsed-laser deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy show that, for the first few monolayers of crystalline YSZ deposited on (100) Si, the dynamic processes appear to be the decomposition of SiO 2 to SiO, the formation of ZrO2, and the desorption of SiO. The native amorphous SiO2 layer is removed completely with the continued deposition of YSZ. The atomically sharp and commensurate YSZ/Si interface is suggested to have a sequence of Si-Si-O-Zr-O-. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.