SEM observation and contrast mechanism of stacking faults in an epitaxial silicon layer

Abstract
The stacking-fault tetrahedron in an epitaxial Si layer was observed in the electron-beam-induced current mode using the scanning electron microscope. The contrast mechanism involved in the stair-rod partial dislocations of the stacking-fault tetrahedron was analyzed on the basis of a simplified model. The calculation seems to fit the experiment since good agreement was obtained between the observed and calculated results.