Patent ID: 7419907
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a substantially non-agglomerated, uniform Ni alloy monosilicide comprising: forming a Ni alloy layer over a portion of a Si-containing material, wherein said Ni alloy layer comprises about 8 atomic percent or greater of one or more alloying additives; first annealing said Ni alloy layer at a temperature which is effective in converting a portion of said Ni alloy layer into an amorphous Ni alloy silicide layer, said amorphous Ni alloy silicide layer having a higher etch resistance than said Ni alloy layer; removing remaining Ni alloy layer not converted in said first annealing; and second annealing at a temperature that converts said amorphous Ni alloy silicide layer into a low resistivity NiSi layer, with the proviso that said method includes no steps in which a metal-rich silicide phase is formed.