Breakdown in silicon oxides—correlation with Cu precipitates

Abstract
Thin oxides grown on silicon substrate in which Cu+ ions had been implanted before oxidation were studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning TEM imaging methods. Cu precipitates, stacking faults, and dislocations appeared at the SiO2/Si interface on the degraded specimens. The Cu precipitates reduce the breakdown strength by local thinning of the oxide thickness. Stacking faults and dislocations, however, do not reduce the breakdown strength.