Thickness Dependent Phase Formation in Fe Thin Film and Si Substrate Solid Phase Reaction

Abstract

AbstractThe solid phase reaction of Fe thin films with (111) Si substrate was investigated at constant annealing temperature and time (700°C, 7 minutes) as a function of the initial iron film thickness (from 5 nm to 27.5 um in 2.5 nm steps). The formed phases were analysed by X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering and transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy.After annealing FeSi phase was detected in the thinner samples. Samples with Fe layers thicker than 12.5 nm contained a β-FeSi2 phase. This special phase sequence was explained with the help of a nucleation controlled phase formation model, taking into consideration the critical radius of nuclei of the new phase. The advantages of using the film thickness as a variable during investigation of solid phase thin film reactions and the probable substrate effects are also discussed.