Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
We present out-diffusion of Zn in Si as a new method to study properties of Si vacancies. Out-diffusion experiments were performed on homogeneously Zn-doped Si samples at 1107°C and 1154°C. The resulting concentration-depth profiles were measured by means of spreading-resistance profiling. Based on a diffusion model in which Zn migrates simultaneously via the kick-out and the dissociative mechanism all experimental profiles were modeled by computer simulations. The calculations reveal that out-diffusion of Zn from Si occurs to a considerable extent via the dissociative mechanism. Hence, vacancy properties like the equilibrium concentration and the transport capacity can be extracted from profile fittings. The results are compared with literature data deduced from in-diffusion experiments.