The coalescence of silicon layers grown over SiO2 by liquid-phase epitaxy

The coalescence of epitaxial silicon layers which are grown laterally over oxidized and patterned Si substrates is studied using various techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The epitaxial layers, the seam of coalescence and lattice defects formed by the coalescence are characterized. The epitaxial layer as a whole is found to be bent with respect to the substrate. Such misorientations, together with facetting of the growth fronts of the coalescing layers, may lead to the formation of solvent inclusions, dislocations and stacking faults at the seam of coalescence. However, under favourable conditions, the seam is found to be entirely defect-free.