Silicon temperature measurement by infrared absorption. Fundamental processes and doping effects

The fundamental absorption mechanisms in silicon at 1.30 and 1.55 mu m have been investigated in the temperature range of 500-800 degrees C. For lightly doped wafers in this temperature range, the absorption at 1.55 mu m is by free carriers. and that at 1.30 mu m is predominantly by bandgap absorption. The effect of heavy substrate doping on infrared absorption at an elevated temperature has also been studied, and it was found that doping has little effect below levels of 7*10/sup 17/ cm/sup -3/. Above that level, the temperature dependence of free carrier absorption strongly affects the transmission as a function of temperature. The knowledge of the fundamental absorption processes is then used to predict the ultimate temperature ranges over which the technique will be useful.>