Effects of thermal annealing on structural and electrical properties of sputtered W–Ti thin films
✍ Scribed by S. Petrović; D. Peruško; B. Gaković; M. Mitrić; J. Kovač; A. Zalar; V. Milinović; I. Bogdanović-Radović; M. Milosavljević
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2010
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 421 KB
- Volume
- 204
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0257-8972
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✦ Synopsis
In this work we have studied the influence of thermal annealing on the structural and electrical properties of W-Ti thin films, deposited on n-type (100) silicon wafers. The films were deposited by d.c. sputtering from a 90:10 wt.% W-Ti target, using Ar ions, to a thickness of ~170 nm. After deposition the samples were annealed at 400 to 700 °C for 60 min, in a nitrogen ambient. Structural characterizations were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A four-point probe was used for electrical characterization. It was found that the as-deposited films exhibit a polycrystalline structure in the form of columnar grains (20-50 nm in diameter). Only b.c.c. W phase could be registered in the films, while any presence of crystalline Ti was hindered in XRD and electron diffraction patterns. Annealing at up to 600 °C resulted in an increase of the mean grain size in the films, and a decrease of their sheet resistance. For these annealing temperatures we did not register any interaction at the W-Ti/Si interface. However, upon annealing at 700 °C, a progressed interaction between the film and the substrate occurred. Structural analyses suggest the formation of both W and Ti silicides. The estimated thickness of the formed metal-silicide layer is approximately 125 nm. Sheet resistance increased rapidly after annealing at 700 °C, because a large portion of the original metallic film was consumed in the reaction with silicon.
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