Evolution of Co/Ge Films on Si(100) and Ge(100) Substrates

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe present results on the evolution of Co/Ge films on Si(100) substrates. Room temperature deposition of 18 nm thick Ge films followed by 5 nm thick Co films was done by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and then post-deposited annealing was done at 700 C. Using combinations of Scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, we determine that the Co and Ge are clustering on the Si surface at these annealing temperatures. During the clustering, the Co is diffusing into the Si substrate leaving a Ge-rich clustered morphology. To test the effect of the Si substrate on the evolution of the films, Co films were deposited on Ge(100) substrates and annealed at 700 C. Clustered morphologies are seen on the Ge substrates and Co in-diffusion is also occurring. The morphologies on the Ge substrates are significantly different from those on the Si substrates.