Patent ID: 7517795

Claim:
A method for forming a stabilized NiSi film comprising: implanting F ions to prevent agglomeration into a surface of a Si-containing layer at an implant energy of from about 1 to about 2 keV using a dose from about 3E14 to about 3E15 atoms/cm 2 , said implanting F ions occurs after a standard device ion implantation and activation annealing process is performed; annealing said F ions at a temperature from about 200° to about 1200° C. in an inert gas ambient; forming a Ni layer atop the surface of the Si-containing layer containing said F ions; and siliciding the Ni layer and the Si-containing layer containing said F ions to form a NiSi film having a sheet resistivity of less than about 25 Ohms/square at 600° C., said siliciding comprising a first anneal, removal of unreacted Ni, and a second anneal, where said first anneal is performed at a temperature from about200° to about 700° C. and said second anneal is performed at a higher temperature than said first anneal, said higher temperature is in a range from about 250° to about950° C.