Tunable Texture in ZnO Thin Films on 200 mm Wafers: Comparative Study of Zn(DMP)2 and Diethylzinc Precursors for ALD

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Contributors

  • Katherine Guzey - , Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Author)
  • Noah Brechmann - , Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Author)
  • Emad Najafidehaghani - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Thomas Gemming - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Ivan Kaban - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Marcel Schmickler - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Jean Pierre Glauber - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Volker Hoffmann - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Detlef Rogalla - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Nicolás Pérez - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Harish Parala - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Kornelius Nielsch - , Chair of Metallic Materials and Metal Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Anna Lena Schall-Giesecke - , Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems, University of Duisburg-Essen (Author)
  • Anjana Devi - , Chair of Materials Chemistry (gB/IFW), Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Nils Boysen - , Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Author)

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a technologically important wide-bandgap semiconductor used in optoelectronics, sensing, and transparent electronic devices. Implementing ZnO thin films in such devices requires scalable, uniform, and compatible thin-film deposition methods. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) provides precise control over film thickness, composition, and conformality and is established in the semiconductor industry. ALD processes for growing ZnO primarily rely on the pyrophoric diethylzinc (DEZ) precursor. Recently, bis-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl zinc ([Zn(DMP)2]) has emerged as a promising non-pyrophoric alternative, offering improved handling safety and enhanced thermal stability. However, its use has so far been limited to growth on small substrates in proof-of-concept experiments. In this work, a thermal ALD process using [Zn(DMP)2] and H2O as precursors was developed on industrially relevant 200 mm silicon wafers and compared with an established thermal process using DEZ and H2O. The effects of deposition temperature (150–300 °C), film thickness, and the underlying substrate material on film growth were systematically investigated. Structural, morphological, chemical, and electrical properties were evaluated using complementary and advanced materials characterization techniques. Across the entire 200 mm wafer area, ZnO films deposited from [Zn(DMP)2] exhibit excellent thickness uniformity and a near-stoichiometric composition comparable to those obtained with DEZ. While slightly higher resistivity and reduced crystallinity are observed at lower deposition temperatures, higher deposition temperatures yield comparable resistivity and an improved c-axis-oriented crystalline texture. Importantly, successful lithographic patterning and electrical characterization of van der Pauw devices confirm compatibility with advanced fabrication workflows. These results demonstrate that [Zn(DMP)2] can compete with DEZ in terms of film quality on large-area wafers and is safer to handle, providing a significant overall advantage.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4992-5006
Number of pages15
JournalACS applied electronic materials
Volume8
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jun 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • ALD, large-area deposition, precursor, thin films, wafer-scale integration, ZnO