Patent ID: 7429525

Claim:
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including the step of forming a nickel monosilicide layer on a silicon surface defined by an insulation film selectively with a self-aligned process, comprising the steps of: forming a metallic nickel film on a silicon substrate such that said metallic nickel film covers said insulation film and said silicon surface; annealing said silicon substrate in a silane gas ambient at a temperature not exceeding 220° C. to form a first nickel silicide layer having a composition primarily of Ni 2 Si on said silicon surface and also on a surface of said metallic nickel film; removing said metallic nickel film after said step of forming first nickel silicide layer by a wet etching process; and converting said first nickel silicide layer to a second nickel silicide layer primarily of nickel monosilicide (NiSi) by applying a thermal annealing process.