X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Optical Reflectivity Studies of Si Surfaces Prepared by Chemical Etching

Complementary X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical reflectivity studies of crystalline Si(111) surfaces prepared by two different wet chemical etching processes were performed. These included aqueous HF solution etch or diluted CP-4 bath. Optical reflectivity spectra of Si surfaces, measured in the range 3.7-11 eV, were found strongly dependent on the applied etching process. Analysis of the core level X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data has shown similarity of the surface structure, irrespectively of the etching procedure. Finally, comparison of optical reflectivity and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectra revealed a qualitative correlation between them indicating dominant influence of the bulk (here, the subsurface region containing polishing-induced defects) in the case studied. This paper is the first one which presents correlations between optical reflectivity and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data for Si and thus illustrates a bulk sensitivity of both techniques considered.