Oxidation and diffusion
Which compound has been used as a liquid diffusion source for introducing phosphorus into silicon by thermal diffusion?
- AArsine (AsH3)
- BPhosphorus oxychloride (POCl3)
- CDiborane (B2H6)
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3)
Phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3) is vaporized by bubbling nitrogen through it and fed into the furnace with oxygen, forming a phosphorus-containing glass layer on the silicon surface from which phosphorus diffuses. It is still used, for example, to form the n-type layer of solar cells.
- A. Arsine is an arsenic-containing gas.
- B. Correct. It is a liquid phosphorus diffusion source.
- C. Diborane is a boron-containing gas.