Cobalt silicidation using tungsten nitride capping layer

摘要

A substantially inert capping layer of tungsten nitride is deposited on cobalt layers prior to silicidation, thereby avoiding any substantial interaction with cobalt. The tungsten nitride capping layer also functions as a diffusion barrier preventing oxygen from reaching the silicidation area. The resulting cobalt silicides layer exhibit lower resistivity than those formed employing a titanium capping layer. Embodiments include rapid thermal annealing to initially form a layer of cobalt monosilicide consuming a portion of the cobalt layer, removing the tungsten nitride and unreacted cobalt layer, and rapid thermal annealing again to convert the cobalt monosilicide layer to a low resistivity layer of cobalt disilicide.