Indentation Plasticity and Fracture in Silicon

By: Nasa, National Aeronautics and Space Adm

Measurements of the ductile-brittle transition temperature of heavily doped silicon were carried out using indentation techniques. Diamond pyramid hardness tests were performed on the (100) face of heavily doped N-type and P-type and intrinsic silicon single crystals. Tests were performed over the range 200 C to 850 C and loads of 100 to 500 g were used. Samples were subsequently etched to reveal dislocation rosettes produced by indentation. Intrinsic silicon underwent a ductile-brittle transition at 660 C, P-type at 645 C and N-type at 625 C. Hardness values varied from 1.1 GPa at 700 C to 11.7 GPa at 200 C. Significant effects of hardness on doping were present only at the highest temperatures. Lower loads generally produced higher hardness but load did not affect the Ductile-Brittle Transition Temperature (DBTT). Fracture toughness values ranged from 0.9 MPa m(1/2) at 200 C to 2.75 MPa m(1/2) near the DBTT. Doping did not affect the fracture toughness of silicon. P-type doping increased the size of dislocation rosettes observed after indentation, but N-type did not, in contradiction of the expected results. Results are discussed in terms of the effect of doping on the dislocation mobility in silicon. Rybicki, George C. and Pirouz, P. Glenn Research Center RTOP 505-63-1A...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1729027660
• ISBN13: 9781729027660
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"