Fabrication of Deep-Sub-Micrometer NbN/AlN/NbN Epitaxial Junctions on a Si Substrate

Abstract: We have developed a novel fabrication process for ultra-small, full-epitaxial NbN Josephson junctions on a silicon (Si) substrate. A full-epitaxial NbN/AlN/NbN tri-layer was grown on a Si (100) wafer with a (200)-oriented TiN buffer layer. It was patterned into Josephson junctions by an electron beam lithography (EBL) for junction definition followed by a reactive ion etch (RIE). A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process and an additional RIE by using CHF$_3$ gas formed reliable electrical contacts between the junction counter electrodes and the wiring layer. All fabricated junctions, with a junction size down to 0.27 $\mu$m in diameter, showed excellent current-voltage characteristics with a clear gap structure and a small sub-gap leakage current. The dielectric layer of SiO$_2$ that served as an insulator between base and counter electrodes was removed in a wet etching process using a buffered HF solution. We have confirmed that the quality of the junctions was maintained after the removal of the SiO$_2$ dielectric layer.