Faculty Profiles - ISHIKAWA, Kenji

Papers - ISHIKAWA, Kenji

Division display 61 - 80 of about 365 ／ All the affair displays >>

Impact of microsecond-pulsed plasma-activated water on papaya seed germination and seedling growth Reviewed

Xi, DK; Zhang, XH; Yang, SZ; Yap, SS; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M; Yap, SL

CHINESE PHYSICS B Vol. 31 ( 12 ) 2022.12

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Chinese Physics B

The seed of Carica papaya consists of a hard shell-like testa with inhibitors in vivo causing slow, erratic and asynchronous germination. In this work, plasma-activated water prepared by microsecond-pulsed plasma jets (μPAW) was applied to treat papaya seeds. The μPAW after plasma activation of 30 min was about 40 °C. The reactive species such as NO2, NO3, and H2O2 in the μPAW activated from deionized water were measured and correlated to the seed germination rate and the seedling growth performance. The μPAW-treated papaya seed achieved a higher germination rate of 90%, which is 26% higher than the control group using deionized water. Comparing the results with a hot water (40 °C) reference group showed that the reactive species in μPAW played primary roles in germination improvement, with little effect caused by the heat shock. The μPAW also sterilized the treated seeds, reducing the germination stress. The morphological change in the seeds was observed by SEM, showing an effect of physical etching after treatment promoting seed imbibition. The biochemical mechanism of the seed germination was deduced with reference to the evolution of surface chemistry, functional groups, and ABA content. The accelerated seed metabolism observed was corresponded to the chemical modification pathway. Besides, early seedlings developed from treated seeds were observed to be healthy, grow more leaves, and have better root structures. The content of MDA in the treated papaya seedlings decreased along with increased SOD and higher ion concentration. The μPAW that can be prepared at atmospheric pressure for bulk production offers a low-risk and cost-effective seed priming technology that may significantly increase the production of agricultural crops.

DOI： 10.1088/1674-1056/ac904e

Indoor Floor Heel Mark Removal Using Spark Discharges and Pressurized Airflow Reviewed Open Access

Sakamoto, Y; Tsutsumi, T; Tanaka, H; Ishikawa, K; Hashizume, H; Hori, M

COATINGS Vol. 12 ( 12 ) 2022.12

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Coatings

Heel marks (HMs), which are the black stains made by shoe soles on indoor floors, can be difficult to remove. However, this study shows how spark discharges combined with pressurized airflow in 60 s discharge treatments can remove such HMs. We further show that maximizing the HM removal rates depended on the electrode gap distance because of changes in the spark discharge parameters. In our experiments, the electrical voltage waveforms are shown with voltage spikes, called spark discharges, and the spike numbers were counted in 0.6-ms time units. It was found that the number of spark discharges increases when the electrode gap distance was widened from 5 mm to 10 mm and the pressurized airflow was added, and the HM removal rates increased 11.5%, the HM removal rates could be maximized. Taken together, the results show that spark discharges combined with pressurized air can remove HMs from indoor floors without no visual damage. This paper is a preliminary report showing that HMs can be removed by plasma.

DOI： 10.3390/coatings12121938

Dry etching of ternary metal carbide TiAlC via surface modification using floating wire-assisted vapor plasma Reviewed Open Access

Nguyen, TTN; Shinoda, K; Hamamura, H; Maeda, K; Yokogawa, K; Izawa, M; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS Vol. 12 ( 1 ) page： 20394 2022.11

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Scientific Reports

Dry etching of ternary metal carbides TiAlC has been first developed by transferring from wet etching to dry etching using a floating wire (FW)-assisted Ar/ammonium hydroxide vapor plasma. FW-assisted non-halogen vapor plasma generated at medium pressure can produce high-density reactive radicals (NH, H, and OH) for TiAlC surface modifications such as hydrogenation and methylamination. A proposed mechanism for dry etching of TiAlC is considered with the formation of the volatile products from the modified layer.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-022-24949-1

Carbon Layer Formation on Hexagonal Boron Nitride by Plasma Processing in Hydroquinone Aqueous Solution Reviewed

Inoue, K; Sakakibara, N; Goto, T; Ito, T; Shimizu, Y; Hakuta, Y; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M; Terashima, K

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol. 14 ( 47 ) page： 53413 - 53420 2022.11

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Although hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating filler in composite materials, surface modification remains difficult, which limits its dispersibility and functionalization. In this study, carbon layer formation on hBN particles by plasma processing in hydroquinone aqueous solution was investigated as a surface modification technique. Carbon components with features of polymeric hydrogenated amorphous carbon were found to be uniformly distributed on the hydroquinone-aided plasma-modified hBN (HQpBN) particles. Electron spin resonance measurements revealed abundant unpaired electrons in HQpBN, indicating that defects were formed on hBN by plasma processing and that the carbon layer contained dangling bonds. The defects on hBN could help in the attachment of the carbon layer, whereas the dangling bonds could act as reactive sites for further functionalization. The carbon layer on HQpBN was successfully functionalized with isocyanate groups, thus confirming the ability of this carbon layer to facilitate surface modification. These results demonstrate that the carbon layer formed on hBN can provide a designable interface in organic/inorganic composite materials.

DOI： 10.1021/acsami.2c15951

Effects of deposition precursors of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films on the plasma etching resistance based on mass spectrometer measurements and machine learning analysis Reviewed Open Access

Kurokawa, J; Kondo, H; Tsutsumi, T; Ishikawa, K; Sekine, M; Hori, M

VACUUM Vol. 205 2022.11

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Vacuum

In the growth of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) with H2, CH4 and C3H6 plasma, the gas phase reaction of active species and their contribution to properties of deposited a-C:H film were quantitatively investigated using appearance quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) and machine learning. The QMS measurement indicated that two-types of neutral radicals were generated by the dissociation and polymerization of the raw material gasses. A random forest regression model was employed as a prediction model to analyze the correlation between the neutral species and etching rates by molecular oxygen (O2) plasma without any stage bias, which were measured by in-situ ellipsometry. The coefficient of determination (R2), an indicator of the degree of prediction accuracy, was 0.906 and 0.584 for the training and test data, respectively. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), interpreting the random forest model, were used to quantitatively indicate the contribution of radicals to the etching rate, including their synergistic and secondary effects. They indicated that carbon-rich radicals, such as C3H3 and C5H5, contributed to a decrease in the etching rate, whereas hydrogen-rich radicals, such as CHx (x=1,2,3,4), C2H5, C4H9, and C5H9,11 induced an increase in the etching rate by the O2 plasma. (200 words)

DOI： 10.1016/j.vacuum.2022.111351

Dissociation channels of c-C<sub>4</sub>F<sub>8</sub> to C<sub>2</sub>F<sub>4</sub> in reactive plasma Reviewed

Hayashi, T; Ishikawa, K; Sekine, M; Hori, M; Lwayama, H

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS Vol. 61 ( 10 ) 2022.10

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Progress in computational methods and personal computing has made possible more accurate estimations for primary dissociation channels and energies. The main dissociation route is revealed to be via the 7E excited state with an energy of 12.23 eV, which is composed of transitions from the highest occupied molecular orbital with b1 symmetry to some degenerate unoccupied e molecular orbitals. The main contributing e orbitals consisted of antibonding combination of C2F4 π-bonding orbitals. This degenerate 7E state is lowered by non-adiabatic transitions through the conical interactions on the dissociating route to 2C2F4, so the energy is finally relaxed at the dissociative second lowest 1E excited state leading to 2C2F4 production. In the electron attachment process, the calculated results show that the F- ion is produced from the excited states of the D4h c-C4F8- ion through conical interactions at the energies of 4.3 eV, 5.6 eV, and 5.0 eV, along the C-F dissociation route.

DOI： 10.35848/1347-4065/ac895e

In-liquid plasma synthesis of iron-nitrogen-doped carbon nanoflakes with high catalytic activity Reviewed

Kondo, H; Hamaji, R; Amano, T; Ishikawa, K; Sekine, M; Hiramatsu, M; Hori, M

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS Vol. 19 ( 8 ) 2022.8

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Plasma Processes and Polymers

Flake-shaped carbon nanomaterials with nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) addition, so-called carbon nanoflakes (CNFLs), were synthesized by the in-liquid plasma using two different kinds of additive agents, such as hemin and iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc). According to scanning electron microscopy images and Raman spectra, CNFLs with a size of at least 100 nm order were formed regardless of types of additive agents, and crystallinity of six-membered ring structures was improved as additive agents increased. Photoelectron spectra showed that pyridinic N contents increased from 1.05% to 2.02% with increasing FePc, while those decreased from 0.34% to 0.14% with hemin. In the oxygen reduction reaction, onset potential values also increased from 0.71 to 0.79 eV with increasing FePc, while those decreased from 0.60 to 0.47 eV with hemin. These results suggested that the catalytic activity of CNFLs was effectively improved by the increase of pyridinic N by the in-liquid plasma synthesis with FePc. In contrast, the electron transfer numbers reached 3.81 when hemin increased, although those were less than 2.88 in the cases using FePc. These results mean that the in-liquid plasma synthesis method of CNFLs using FePc has the potential to further improve its catalytic activity.

DOI： 10.1002/ppap.202100203

Akatsuka H., Kurihara K., Toyoda H., Karahashi K., Ishikawa K., Ichiki T., Eriguchi K., Kuboi N., Matsui M., Nunomura S.

Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 61 ( SI ) 2022.7

Study of optical emission spectroscopy using modified Boltzmann plot in dual-frequency synchronized pulsed capacitively coupled discharges with DC bias at low-pressure in Ar/O<sub>2</sub>/C<sub>4</sub>F<sub>8</sub> plasma etching process Reviewed

Sahu, BB; Nakane, K; Ishikawa, K; Sekine, M; Tsutsumi, T; Gohira, T; Ohya, Y; Ohno, N; Hori, M

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS Vol. 24 ( 22 ) page： 13883 - 13896 2022.6

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

We consider the corona model and local thermal equilibrium approximations of a real plasma to measure the electron temperature (Te) and density (ne), respectively, using the optical emission spectroscopy (OES) method in dual-frequency pulsed capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) in a reactive mixture of Ar/O2/C4F8 at a low operating pressure. The operation conditions such as DC continuous and synchronized were used for the study and plasma characterization for the intended plasma application such as high aspect ratio etching (HARE). We show that the present plasma conditions are dominated by a corona balance rather than the supremacy of multi-step excitation. This fact has enabled us to utilize the modified Boltzmann plot technique to evaluate the Te values. In the second method, we simultaneously used the Boltzmann and Saha equations to determine the ne value using the line intensity ratio and the value of Te. Time-resolved measurements of Te and ne were performed for completeness, and the insight of the pulsed discharge was investigated. Time evolution of ne and Te using the OES method revealed a similar trend in the change of plasma parameters, indicating electron impact ionization during the pulse on phase. It was seen that ne in the afterglow speedily decreased within a short time of ∼5 μs. Analysis suggests the formation of afterglow plasmas, which are composed of positive and negative ions with very low electron density. The results revealed that the DC-synchronized operation could be useful for plasma application such as HARE due to different plasma characteristics. It also suggests the production of ion-ion plasmas by the effective utilization of negative ions in the afterglow phase. The corona balance condition was validated in our experiments, and the results were compared with the existing literature.

DOI： 10.1039/d2cp00289b

Low-temperature reduction of SnO<sub>2</sub> by floating wire-assisted medium-pressure H<sub>2</sub>/Ar plasma Reviewed

Nguyen, TTN; Sasaki, M; Hsiao, SN; Tsutsumi, T; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS Vol. 19 ( 6 ) 2022.6

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Plasma Processes and Polymers

Reduction of SnO2 to form spherical Sn particles and Sn etching are obtained by floating wire (FW)-assisted medium-pressure H2/Ar plasma. High-density H2/Ar plasma (1014 cm−3) with a larger treatment area at medium pressure (10 kPa) produces a two-times higher removal rate of SnO2 (0.111 mg/min) than that at atmospheric pressure with the same treatment area of 300 mm2. SnO2 film is removed from the glass surface by a two-step process involving (1) reduction of SnO2 by FW-H2/Ar plasma to form spherical Sn particles and (2) removal of low-contact Sn particles by water-based cleaning. High surface smoothness (roughness of 0.488 nm) and high optical transmittance (>92%) of treated samples indicate no damage compared to that of pristine quartz glass.

DOI： 10.1002/ppap.202100209

Cytotoxicity of plasma-irradiated lactate solution produced under atmospheric airtight conditions and generation of the methyl amino group Reviewed

Ito, D; Iwata, N; Ishikawa, K; Nakamura, K; Hashizume, H; Miron, C; Tanaka, H; Kajiyama, H; Toyokuni, S; Mizuno, M; Hori, M

APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS Vol. 15 ( 5 ) 2022.5

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Applied Physics Express

Ringer's lactate solution was irradiated with non-equilibrium plasma under airtight conditions. The plasma-activated lactate (PAL) was produced with argon, oxygen, and nitrogen gases following purging of Ar. Cytotoxicity could be controlled by diluting PAL, and a killing effect was selectively obtained on cancer cells compared to normal cells for Ar+O2+N2 PALs. Nonetheless, cytotoxicity was partly reproduced by similar concentrations of H2O2 and NO2- in the PALs. The organics produced by plasma irradiation to lactate were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance, and the generation of methyl amino species was confirmed.

DOI： 10.35848/1882-0786/ac6360

Plasma-assisted thermal-cyclic atomic-layer etching of tungsten and control of its selectivity to titanium nitride Reviewed

Shinoda, K; Miyoshi, N; Kobayashi, H; Hanaoka, Y; Izawa, M; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M

JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY B Vol. 40 ( 2 ) 2022.3

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B

Plasma-assisted thermal-cyclic atomic-layer etching (ALE) of tungsten (W), the selectivity of which with respect to TiN can be tuned between highly selective and nonselective by changing infrared-heating time, has been demonstrated. It is a two-step process consisting of exposure to radicals generated in a CHF3/O2 or CH2F2/O2/Ar plasma followed by infrared heating. Analysis by in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that a WFx-based modified surface formed on the surface of a W film exposed to radicals at -22 °C. The modified surface on the W film is volatile at a heating temperature lower than that required for removing the modified surface on the TiN film. Cyclic etching of both W and TiN was performed by using the CH2F2/O2/Ar plasma and infrared heating in a 300-mm ALE apparatus. When the infrared-heating time was not long enough to remove the modified surface on TiN, the cyclic repetition etched only the W film. On the other hand, when the infrared-heating time was long enough to remove modified surfaces on both W and TiN, the cyclic repetition etched both W and TiN films. Therefore, both highly selective and nonselective ALEs for W and TiN were obtained by choosing an optimum infrared-heating time. This shows that material selectivity in plasma-assisted thermal-cyclic ALE can be controlled by changing the infrared-heating time.

DOI： 10.1116/6.0001660

Scaffolds with isolated carbon nanowalls promote osteogenic differentiation through Runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocalcin gene expression of osteoblast-like cells Reviewed Open Access

Ichikawa, T; Ishikawa, K; Tanaka, H; Shimizu, N; Hori, M

AIP ADVANCES Vol. 12 ( 2 ) 2022.2

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：AIP Advances

Carbon nanowalls (CNWs) with average wall-to-wall distances ranging from 100 to 3300 nm were synthesized using a radical injection plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system. Application of a negative high voltage to the growth substrate using an inductor energy storage (IES) circuit provided CNWs with wall-to-wall distances depending on the nano-second pulse voltage of the IES circuit. Sparse isolated CNWs with average wall-to-wall distances of 700 nm were used for culturing Saos-2 cells. These cells showed better adhesion than the control after 2 days’ incubation and enhanced gene expression of the osteogenic differentiation genes Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin after 10 days’ incubation. Sparse isolated CNW scaffolds hold promise for regulating the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells.

DOI： 10.1063/5.0075530

Enhancement of ethanol production and cell growth in budding yeast by direct irradiation of low-temperature plasma Reviewed Open Access

Tanaka, H; Matsumura, S; Ishikawa, K; Hashizume, H; Ito, M; Nakamura, K; Kajiyama, H; Kikkawa, F; Ito, M; Ohno, K; Okazaki, Y; Toyokuni, S; Mizuno, M; Hori, M

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS Vol. 61 ( SA ) 2022.1

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Ethanol production by budding yeast was compared between direct and indirect plasma irradiation. We observed enhancement of ethanol production and cell growth not by indirect plasma irradiation but by direct plasma irradiation. Glucose consumption was increased in budding yeast by direct plasma irradiation. Extracellular flux analysis revealed that glycolytic activity in the budding yeast was elevated by direct plasma irradiation. These results suggest that direct plasma irradiation enhances ethanol production in budding yeast by elevating the glycolytic activity.

DOI： 10.35848/1347-4065/ac2037

Towards prevention and prediction of infectious diseases with virus sterilization using ultraviolet light and low-temperature plasma and bio-sensing devices for health and hygiene care Reviewed International coauthorship Open Access

Kumagai, S; Nishigori, C; Takeuchi, T; Bruggeman, P; Takashima, K; Takahashi, H; Kaneko, T; Choi, EH; Nakazato, K; Kambara, M; Ishikawa, K

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS Vol. 61 ( SA ) page： SA0808 2022.1

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Inspired by the ideas of many authors, we provide insight on state-of-the-art potential technologies for the prevention and prediction of infectious diseases before they spread. This review also surveys virus sterilization with ultraviolet light and low temperature plasma technologies. Researchers in the various fields of medicine, materials, electronics, and plasma sciences have addressed increasingly challenging demands and the discussion encompasses the major challenges in societies that are faced with the threat of infectious diseases. In addition, technologies that use nanomaterials are evaluated for infection prevention and hygiene purposes. Advances in biomedical diagnostics for health care in terms of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors-based devices and telemetry for health monitoring are also reviewed.

DOI： 10.35848/1347-4065/ac1c3d

Perspectives on functional nitrogen science and plasma-based <i>in situ</i> functionalization Reviewed Open Access

Ishikawa, K

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS Vol. 61 ( SA ) page： SA0802 2022.1

Authorship：Lead author,　Last author,　Corresponding author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated by controlled electron impacts in conjunction with the use of dinitrogen can react with oxygen and/or hydrogen to generate highly reactive compounds. The related field of functional nitrogen science provides new opportunities for nitrogen utilization based on non-equilibrium plasma processing. This revolutionary technique permits plasma-based nitrogen fixation at the locations at which materials such as dopants and fertilizers are required. This system, based on the in situ generation of RNS at the point of use, is expected to replace conventional processes involving nitrogen cycles employing ammonia and nitric acid. Optimization of this new approach will require nitrogen doping to be tuned by atomic-scale localization of nitrogen. This review discusses the applications of functional nitrogen and the processes by which functionalization in both inorganic materials and living organisms can occur when using RNS.

DOI： 10.35848/1347-4065/ac3558

Functional nitrogen science based on plasma processing: quantum devices, photocatalysts and activation of plant defense and immune systems Reviewed International coauthorship Open Access

Kaneko, T; Kato, H; Yamada, H; Yamamoto, M; Yoshida, T; Attri, P; Koga, K; Murakami, T; Kuchitsu, K; Ando, S; Nishikawa, Y; Tomita, K; Ono, R; Ito, T; Ito, AM; Eriguchi, K; Nozaki, T; Tsutsumi, T; Ishikawa, K

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS Vol. 61 ( SA ) page： SA0805 2022.1

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Nitrogen is a very common element, comprising approximately 78% of Earth's atmosphere, and is an important component of various electronic devices while also being essential for life. However, it is challenging to directly utilize dinitrogen because of the highly stable triple bond in this molecule. The present review examines the use of non-equilibrium plasmas to generate controlled electron impacts as a means of generating reactive nitrogen species (RNS) with high internal energy values and extremely short lifetimes. These species include ground state nitrogen atoms, excited nitrogen atoms, etc. RNS can subsequently react with oxygen and/or hydrogen to generate new highly reactive compounds and can also be used to control various cell functions and create new functional materials. Herein, plasma-processing methods intended to provide RNS serving as short-lived precursors for a range of applications are examined in detail.

DOI： 10.35848/1347-4065/ac25dc

Plasma Diagnostics and Characteristics of Hydrofluorocarbon Films in Capacitively Coupled CF<inf>4</inf>/H<inf>2</inf>Plasmas Reviewed

Hsiao S.N., Imai Y., Britrun N., Tsutsumi T., Ishikawa K., Sekine M., Hori M.

IEEE International Symposium on Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference Proceedings Vol. 2022-December 2022

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：IEEE International Symposium on Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference Proceedings

Plasma diagnostics including electron density, temperature, neutral atomic densities of the CH4H2 plasmas were performed in a capacitively-coupled reactor using surface-wave probe, Langmuir probe and vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. The plasma density increased monotonically with varying H2 content from 30 to 90 %. The electron temperature first decreased with H2 up to 50 % and then increased at higher H2 concentration. The HF concentration reached a maximum value at a H2 of approximately 50 %, which is probably due to balance between H and F radicals from the plasma. Increasing the H2 content resulted in a higher H concentration and a less cross-linked structure of the amorphous hydrofluorocarbon films, analyzed by using in situ Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy.

DOI： 10.1109/ISSM55802.2022.10027112

Wide range applications of process plasma diagnostics using vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy Reviewed

Takeda, K; Ishikawa, K; Hori, M

REVIEWS OF MODERN PLASMA PHYSICS Vol. 6 ( 1 ) 2022

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics

Applications of plasma diagnostics using vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy (VUVAS) in our studies are summarized in this article. The plasma diagnostics with absorption spectroscopy is a powerful tool for investigating behaviors of reactive species in plasma processes, because it enables us to measure the absolute density. In our group, we have focused on the clarification of reaction mechanisms of atomic species in the plasma processes, and the behaviors of atomic species generated in various process plasmas have been investigated using the VUVAS with a plasma light source. Using the VUVAS, we can investigate not only the absolute density but also surface reactions of atomic species in the plasma processes. On the other hand, in our group, the real-time monitoring of atomic species based on VUVAS has been realized in the plasma processes, and the effects of the initial state of reactor wall surface on the behaviors of atomic species in a process plasma have been quantitatively investigated. Moreover, the VUVAS has been applied to the measurements of reactive species generated by atmospheric pressure plasmas which attracts much attention because of its applications to the bio and medical research fields. These results and experimental technique used in our studies are extremely useful for the further developments of plasma processes such as etching, deposition, surface modification, bio-medical applications and so on in the future.

DOI： 10.1007/s41614-022-00075-3

On the Etching Mechanism of Highly Hydrogenated SiN Films by CF<sub>4</sub>/D<sub>2</sub> Plasma: Comparison with CF<sub>4</sub>/H<sub>2</sub> Reviewed Open Access

Hsiao, SN; Nguyen, TTN; Tsutsumi, T; Ishikawa, K; Sekine, M; Hori, M

COATINGS Vol. 11 ( 12 ) page： 1535 2021.12

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Coatings

With the increasing interest in dry etching of silicon nitride, utilization of hydrogencontained fluorocarbon plasma has become one of the most important processes in manufacturing advanced semiconductor devices. The correlation between hydrogen-contained molecules from the plasmas and hydrogen atoms inside the SiN plays a crucial role in etching behavior. In this work, the influences of plasmas (CF4/D2 and CF4/H2 ) and substrate temperature (Ts, from −20 to 50◦ C) on etch rates (ERs) of the PECVD SiN films were investigated. The etch rate performed by CF4/D2 plasma was higher than one obtained by CF4/H2 plasma at substrate temperature of 20◦ C and higher. The optical emission spectra showed that the intensities of the fluorocarbon (FC), F, and Balmer emissions were stronger in the CF4/D2 plasma in comparison with CF4/H2 . From X-ray photoelectron spectra, a thinner FC layer with a lower F/C ratio was found in the surface of the sample etched by the CF4/H2 plasma. The plasma density, gas phase concentration and FC thickness were not responsible for the higher etch rate in the CF4/D2 plasma. The abstraction of H inside the SiN films by deuterium and, in turn, hydrogen dissociation from Si or N molecules, supported by the results of in situ monitoring of surface structure using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, resulted in the enhanced ER in the CF4/D2 plasma case. The findings imply that the hydrogen dissociation plays an important role in the etching of PECVD-prepared SiN films when the hydrogen concentration of SiN is higher. For the films etched with the CF4/H2 at −20◦ C, the increase in ER was attributed to a thinner FC layer and surface reactions. On the contrary, in the CF4/D2 case the dependence of ER on substrate temperature was the consequence of the factors which include the FC layer thickness (diffusion length) and the atomic mobility of the etchants (thermal activation reaction).

DOI： 10.3390/coatings11121535

　 PREV - NEXT 　

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19