Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
A NiSi silicide process employing a Ni(Ti) alloy has been investigated. It was experimentally demonstrated that a small amount of Ti in Ni could overcome the reaction-inhibiting effect of an interfacial oxide layer on Si. Ti in the deposited Nil film reacts with the interfacial oxide, yielding an altered oxide layer, which acts as a Ni-permeable diffusion membrane during silicidation. Good diode characteristics were obtained from p+/n silicided Ni(Ti)-diodes with an initial interfacial oxide. It is believed that the ability to form silicide effectively in the presence of a native oxide will greatly relieve constraints on processing conditions and significantly enhance manufacturing yield.