Ultra-Shallow Raised P+N Junctions with Self-Aligned Titanium Silicide Contacts formed by Boron Outdiffusion from Selectively Deposited Silicon Epitaxial Layers

In this study, we have fabricated ultra-shallow p+n junctions by boron outdiffusion from selectively deposited Si epitaxial layers. The undoped layers (900 – 1000 Å) were selectively deposited on active areas in a UHV-RTCVD reactor using Si2H6 and Cl2 at 800°C and at a total pressure less than 30 mTorr. Junctions were formed by BF2 ion-implantation into epitaxial layers with and without Ge preamorphization followed by RTA at 1000°C and 1050°C for 10 s in Ar. Junction depths ranging from 400 Å to 700 Å were formed at a background concentration of l×1016 cm−3. Abrupt boron profiles with epitaxy/substrate interface concentrations on the order of 1020 cm-3 were formed. Self-aligned TiSi2 was formed at four different thicknesses by evaporating 100, 200, 300 or 400 Å thick Ti followed by a two-step RTA cycle with a selective etch between to remove the unreacted Ti on Si02. Our results show that raised junctions with a Ti thickness of 400 Å (corresponding to a TiSi2 thickness over 900 Å and consumption of the entire epitaxial layer) exhibit a reverse leakage of less than 10 pA for a device area of 800×800 μm2. This corresponds to areal and peripheral leakage current densities of 67 pA/cm2 and 4 pA/cm. Therefore, thick silicide layers can be used on raised junctions reducing the junction sheet resistance and eliminating the possibility of silicide agglomeration. Furthermore, implantation damage in substrate is eliminated by confining the implant into the raised region which is later consumed during silicide formation.