Patent · US Active

Methods for depositing nickel films and for making nickel silicide and nickel germanide

US9379011B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
180References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 2012
Grant dateJun 28, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 14, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D30/60
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In one aspect, methods of silicidation and germanidation are provided. In some embodiments, methods for forming metal silicide can include forming a non-oxide interface, such as germanium or solid antimony, over exposed silicon regions of a substrate. Metal oxide is formed over the interface layer. Annealing and reducing causes metal from the metal oxide to react with the underlying silicon and form metal silicide. Additionally, metal germanide can be formed by reduction of metal oxide over germanium, whether or not any underlying silicon is also silicided. In other embodiments, nickel is deposited directly and an interface layer is not used. In another aspect, methods of depositing nickel thin films by vapor phase deposition processes are provided. In some embodiments, nickel thin films are deposited by ALD. Nickel thin films can be used directly in silicidation and germanidation processes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.