Diffusion of boron in silicon: Compatibility of empirical molecular dynamics with continuum simulations

The compatibility of atomistic simulations with continuum methods is tested by applying empirical molecular dynamics to the diffusion of a boron dopant atom in silicon. Extended timescale simulations of the diffusion path are performed. The analysis of the position of boron during the migration events reveals a preference for a kick-out mechanism. The deduced migration length is in excellent agreement with the classical value, a promising conclusion encouraging the transition to all-atomistic process simulations. The diffusion coefficient of boron is analyzed in light of an accelerated diffusion in the presence of a silicon self-interstitial oversaturation