Patent ID: 6358825
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
In a process for controlling and improving minority carrier lifetime characteristics in a P-i-N diode, the improvement comprising:depositing platinum on a surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate containing at least one PN junction; heating said substrate to a temperature of about 800Â° C.; diffusing said platinum into said substrate while increasing its temperature to a first selected temperature of about 850-950Â° C. at a rate of about 5Â° C./minute; continuing said diffusing while maintaining said substrate at said first selected temperature for about 30-60 minutes; continuing said diffusing while increasing the temperature of said substrate to a second selected temperature above 950Â° C. to about 1000Â° C. at a rate of about 5Â° C./minute; continuing said diffusing while maintaining said substrate at said second selected temperature for about 5-30 minutes; and allowing said substrate to cool.