Abnormal oxidation in nickel silicide and nickel germanosilicide in sub-micro CMOS

After post-silicidation annealing at various temperatures for 30 min, abnormal oxidation and agglomeration in nickel silicide and nickel germanosilicide are investigated under different conditions of NiSi, with As-, In-, and Sb-doped Si substrates of nickel germanosilicide without any dopants. The NiSi thickness, dopant species, doping concentration, and silicide process conditions are dominant factors for abnormal oxidation and NiSi agglomeration. Larger dopants than Si, thinner NiSi thickness and SiGe substrates, and higher dopant concentrations promote abnormal oxidation and agglomeration.