Increased thermal stability of Co-silicide using Co-Ta alloy films

The silicidation reactions and thermal stability of Co silicide formed from Co-Ta/Si systems have been investigated. In case of Co-Ta alloy process, the formation of low resistive CoSi₂ phase is delayed to about 660°C, as compared to conventional Co/Si system. Moreover, the presence of Ta in Co-Ta alloy films reduces the silicidation reaction rate, resulting in the strong preferential orientation in CoSi₂ films. Upon high temperature post annealing in the furnace, the sheet resistance of Co-silicide formed from Co/Si systems increases significantly, while that of Co-Ta/Si systems maintains low. This is due to the formation of TaSi₂ at the grain boundaries and surface of Co-silicide films, which prevents the grain boundary migration thereby slowing the agglomeration. Therefore, from our research, increased thermal stability of Co-silicide films was successfully obtained from Co-Ta alloy process.