Effects of NH3 flow rate on the epitaxial growth of CoSi2 thin film using a CoN x interlayer deposited by MOCVD

A uniform epitaxial CoSi2 layer could be grown on a Si(100) substrate by deposition of a CoN (x) interlayer followed by an in situ annealing process. The amorphous Si-N layer which is formed at the CoN (x) /Si interface plays a role in inhibiting excessive Co incorporation into Si layer and consequently enhancing the epitaxial growth of CoSi2 layer. However, the Si-N layer also limits the growth of thick CoSi2 layer. Therefore, the thickness of the amorphous Si-N layer is an important factor for the epitaxial growth of the CoSi2 layer with uniform structure and low sheet resistance.