Evolution of donor-vacancy clusters in Ge, GeSn and SiGeSn during ms-range FLA monitored by positron annihilation spectroscopy

The n-type doping of Ge and Ge-based alloys is a self-limiting process due to the formation of vacancy-donor complexes (DnV with n ≤ 4) that deactivate the donors. This work clearly demonstrates that the dissolution of the DnV clusters in a heavily n-doped Ge, GeSn and SiGeSn layers can be achieved by millisecond-flash lamp annealing. This DnV cluster dissolution results in a considerable increase of the electrical activation together with a suppression of donor diffusion. Using electrical measurements and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, combined with theoretical calculations, it is possible to address, understand and solve the fundamental problem of achieving ultra-high doping level in Ge, that has hindered so far the full integration of Ge and Ge-based alloys with complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor technology.