Correlation Between the Microstructures and the Electrical Properties of Ni/Au/Te/Au Contacts on n-GaAs

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe structural evolution of Ni/Au/Te/Au contacts on n-GaAs (001) was examined, in correlation with their electrical properties as a function of rapid thermal annealing in the temperature range 350 - 600°C. It was found that heating at temperatures ≥ 550°C results in the formation of ohmic contacts, while contacts annealed at lower temperatures remain nonohmic. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that heating ≥ 450°C leads to extensive reactions between Ni/Au/Te/Au and GaAs and deep spike formation into the GaAs. The major reaction products were identified as NiAs and β-AuGa. Ga2Te3 grains, growing epitaxially on GaAs, were detected only in 550°C annealed samples. Heating to 600°C caused considerable Ga2Te3 loss. Implications of these results concerning the ohmic contact formation mechanism are discussed.