Abstract: A silicon wafer having no epitaxially deposited layer or layer produced by joining to the silicon wafer, with a nitrogen concentration of 1·1013-8·1014 atoms/cm3, an oxygen concentration of 5.2·1017-7.5·1017 atoms/cm3, a central thickness BMD density of 3·108-2·1010 cm?3, a cumulative length of linear slippages ?3 cm and a cumulative area of areal slippage regions ?7 cm2, the front surface having <45 nitrogen-induced defects of >0.13 ?m LSE in the DNN channel, a layer at least 5 ?m thick, in which ?1·104 COPs/cm3 with a size of ?0.09 ?m occur, and a BMD-free layer ?5 ?m thick. Such wafers may be produced by heat treating the silicon wafer, resting on a substrate holder, a specific substrate holder used depending on the wafer doping. For each holder, maximum heating rates are selected to avoid formation of slippages.

Abstract: A silicon wafer having no epitaxially deposited layer or layer produced by joining to the silicon wafer, with a nitrogen concentration of 1·1013-8·1014 atoms/cm3, an oxygen concentration of 5.2·1017-7.5·1017 atoms/cm3, a central thickness BMD density of 3·108-2·1010 cm?3, a cumulative length of linear slippages ?3 cm and a cumulative area of areal slippage regions ?7 cm2, the front surface having <45 nitrogen-induced defects of >0.13 ?m LSE in the DNN channel, a layer at least 5 ?m thick, in which ?1·104 COPs/cm3 with a size of ?0.09 ?m occur, and a BMD-free layer ?5 ?m thick. Such wafers may be produced by heat treating the silicon wafer, resting on a substrate holder, a specific substrate holder used depending on the wafer doping. For each holder, maximum heating rates are selected to avoid formation of slippages.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer with a front surface and a back surface and an epitaxial layer of semiconducting material deposited on the front surface. In the semiconductor wafer, the epitaxial layer has a maximum local flatness value SFQRmax of less than or equal to 0.13 ?m and a maximum density of 0.14 scattered light centers per cm2. The front surface of the semiconductor wafer, prior to the deposition of the epitaxial layer, has a surface roughness of 0.05 to 0.29 nm RMS, measured by AFM on a 1 ?m×1 ?m reference area. Furthermore, there is a process for producing the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a semiconductor wafer having a front and a back and an epitaxial layer of semiconductor material deposited on the front, includes the following process steps: (a) preparing a substrate wafer having a polished front and a specific thickness; (b) pretreating the front of the substrate wafer in the presence of HCl gas and a silane source at a temperature of from 950 to 1250 degrees Celsius in an epitaxy reactor, the thickness of the substrate wafer remaining substantially unchanged; and (c) depositing the epitaxial layer on the front of the pretreated substrate wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer with a front surface and a back surface and an epitaxial layer of semiconducting material deposited on the front surface. In the semiconductor wafer, the epitaxial layer has a maximum local flatness value SFQRmax of less than or equal to 0.13 &mgr;m and a maximum density of 0.14 scattered light centers per cm2. The front surface of the semiconductor wafer, prior to the deposition of the epitaxial layer, has a surface roughness of 0.05 to 0.29 nm RMS, measured by AFM on a 1 &mgr;m×1 &mgr;m reference area. Furthermore, there is a process for producing the semiconductor wafer.