Thermal Behaviour of Au/Pd/Gaas Contacts

Abstract

ABSTRACTAu(85nm)/Pd(55nm)/GaAs(100) samples were heat treated in the 325–425°C temperature range. The annealed samples have been investigated using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, Auger Electron Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The gold layer remained largely unreacted up to 300°C. Significant Pd diffusion into GaAs consuming a 50–60 nm thick layer of GaAs is evident in the case of sample annealed at 325°C and a slight Au diffusion is also noticeable. In the sample annealed at 350°C the spreading of palladium was very quick. A strong reaction took place between the GaAs and the metallization in the case of sample heat treated at 375°C. At this temperature we have identified the PdGa phase using electron diffraction.