Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
In this work, we will show that a reactive Ti capping layer can reduce oxide layers that are present at the cobalt-silicon interface. We have used a thin, chemically grown oxide to have a well-controlled form of interfacial oxide layer. To study the silicidation reaction, isochronal annealing was done at various temperatures. Different sets of samples were made in order to investigate the influence of the thickness of the Co layer and its Ti cap. Titanium capping strongly influenced the silicidation reaction. We have found that already at moderate temperatures, Ti can diffuse towards the Co/Si interface, and can reduce the interfacial oxide there present, enabling CoSi2 formation. The CoSi2 thus formed has a preferential epitaxial orientation, and the process by which this epitaxy is attained may be explained by a combination of OME (Oxide Mediated Epitaxy) and TIME (Titanium Mediated Epitaxy).