Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
The geometrical shape and the thermal stability of the TiSi2/poly-Si interface on narrow lines has been studied. The examined line-widths varied between 0.8 μm and 1.5 μm. The thermal stability was found to strongly correlate to theactual line-width of the structures. At the onset of degradation, at and above 900 ºC, narrow lines were observed to disintegrate at a much faster rate than wider ones. Cross-sectional microscopy (TEM and SEM) revealed the TiSi2/poly-Si interface to be curved inwards. The interface bowing was found to be more pronounced on narrow lines. It is suggested that the interface bowing results from a mechanical pinning of the TiSi2/poly-Si interface by the side-wall spacers.