Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
The interface chemistry and structure of thin Al and Au films deposited on Si3N4 have been studied. In the case of Al/Si3N4 system, an interfacial AIN like layer was observed in the as-deposited state. The thickness of this layer was found to increase with increasing the temperature up to 600°C. This thin AlN layer acts as a diffusion barrier which prevents Al to diffuse into Si3N4 Furthermore, Si released in the reaction between Al and Si3N4 appears to crystallize into small islands dispersed in the interfacial region. In contrast to Al, no reaction between Au and Si3N4 was observed in the as-deposited state. However, after heat treatment at temperatures higher than 400°C gold silicides (Au5Si2,Au2Si,Au3Si) with a very thin Si layer accumulated on the Au surface were observed.