Biopolymers and Polymer Sciences

The result of the initial stages of the formation of a transition metal-silicon contact at room temperature has been analyzed. The contact was formed by physical vaapor deposition. At the growth stage preceding the formation of the first bulk phase of the metal/silicide, a Nanophase Wetting Layer (NWL) of a metal/silicide on a silicon substrate was detected and identified. The detection and identification of NWL was made possible by the technique developed by the author for complex analysis of the structural-chemical and phase state of the surface/interface by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). In addition, this became possible to the development of the low-temperature method of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and the formation of metal-silicon contact by this method without mixing at the interface. The detection of NWL fundamentally changed the approach to the formation of a metal contact with a silicon substrate.