Au/Ge/Pd Ohmic Contacts to n-TYPE InP
ABSTRACTOhmic contact formation and thermal stability in a Au/Ge/Pd metallization to n-type InP, doped to a level of 1017 cm-3, have been investigated. Contact resistance was measured using a transmission line method, while microstructural changes were examined by means of TEM, EDX, CBED and SAD. Contacts became ohmic after annealing at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 375°C. A minimum contact resistance of 2.5×l0-6 Ω-cm2 was obtained after annealing at 350°C for 320s. The drop in resistance to ohmic behavior corresponded to the decomposition of an epitaxial quaternary phase (Au-Ge-Pd-P). Annealing at 400°C and above resulted in Au10In3 spiking into InP and a break down of contact lateral uniformity, which increased contact resistance.