β-Ga2O3 Layered Crystal Growth with Stable LPE Melt Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing β-Ga2O3 multilayer bodies face challenges such as low crystal quality, slow growth rates, and high costs due to solvent volatility and incompatible crystal structures, making them unsuitable for high-performance power devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) using a combination of Ga2O3, PbO or PbF2 as solvents, and Bi2O3, B2O3, or V2O5 to grow β-Ga2O3 single crystals on a β-Ga2O3 substrate, controlling solvent composition and temperature to achieve high crystallinity and fast growth rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If vapor-phase growth methods (HVPE, MOCVD, MBE) are used to grow β-Ga2O3 epitaxial layers, then the crystal structure compatibility is improved, but the growth rate remains slow (2.7-6.0 μm/hr) and crystal quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal qualityVSAvoidgrowth rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental growth parameter from vapor-phase to liquid-phase epitaxy, utilizing a molten salt solvent system (e.g., PbO-B2O3, PbF2-B2O3) to enable faster atomic transport and deposition while maintaining crystal quality through controlled cooling rates and solvent composition optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a molten salt solvent as an intermediary medium between the gas phase and solid crystal, where the solvent facilitates atom-by-atom deposition on the crystal surface, enabling both high growth rates and excellent crystal quality by mediating the transformation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional LPE method uses PbO or PbF2 as solvent alone, then the melting point is high (making stable melt difficult), but the solvent volatility causes compositional variation and furnace material consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelt stabilityVSAvoidsolvent evaporation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite solvent system by combining PbO or PbF2 with B2O3 or V2O5, forming a eutectic mixture that lowers the melting point while reducing volatility. This composite solvent maintains stable composition during growth by balancing the complementary properties of each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the solvent system by selecting specific compositional ratios (e.g., PbO:B2O3 = 60:40 or PbF2:B2O3 = 70:30) that optimize both melting point and volatility characteristics, enabling stable growth at lower temperatures with minimal evaporation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If sapphire substrate is used for β-Ga2O3 growth, then the substrate availability is improved, but the crystal structure mismatch creates multiple rotational domains and poor crystallinity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate availabilityVSAvoidcrystallinity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using β-Ga2O3 substrate specifically in the region where high crystallinity is required, while allowing the solvent system to provide the necessary chemical environment for single-domain growth, thus combining substrate availability with crystal quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Stable crystal growth with suppressed solvent evaporation allows for low-cost production of high-quality β-Ga2O3 multilayer bodies suitable for power devices and optical materials, with improved crystallinity and growth rates up to 50 µm/hr.

Implementation Method 1

allowing a β-Ga2O3 substrate to directly come into contact with the resulting melt, so that β-Ga2O3 single crystals are allowed to grow on the β-Ga2O3 substrate according to liquid phase epitaxy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid phase epitaxy: Epitaxy

Implementation Method 2

β-Ga2O3 single crystals are allowed to grow on the β-Ga2O3 substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

mixing (1) Ga2O3 as a solute, with (2) a combination of either PbO or PbF2 as a solvent and any one selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, B2O3, and V2O5, as a solvent, and melting the mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4703501A1Method for producing ?-ga2o3/?-ga2o3 layered product, and layered product obtained using said production method
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 MITSUBISHI GAS CHEM CO INC
  • EP4703501A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703501A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703501A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, there can be provided a method for producing a β-Ga2O3/β-Ga2O3 multilayer body, the method being characterized in that it comprises: mixing (1) Ga2O3 as a solute, with (2) a combination of either PbO or PbF2 as a solvent and any one selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, B2O3, and V2O5, as a solvent (provided that a combination of PbO and Bi2O3 is excluded), and melting the mixture; and then allowing a β-Ga2O3 substrate to directly come into contact with the resulting melt, so that β-Ga2O3 single crystals are allowed to grow on the β-Ga2O3 substrate according to liquid phase epitaxy.