Retarding agglomeration of ni monosilicide using ni alloys

Abstract

A method for providing a low resistance non-agglomerated Ni monosilicide contact that is useful in semiconductor devices. Where the inventive method of fabricating a substantially non-agglomerated Ni alloy monosilicide comprises the steps of: forming a metal alloy layer over a portion of a Si-containing substrate, wherein said metal alloy layer comprises of Ni and one or multiple alloying additive(s), where said alloying additive is Ti, V, Ge, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Rh, Pd or Pt or mixtures thereof; annealing the metal alloy layer at a temperature to convert a portion of said metal alloy layer into a Ni alloy monosilicide layer; and removing remaining metal alloy layer not converted into Ni alloy monosilicide. The alloying additives are selected for phase stability and to retard agglomeration. The alloying additives most efficient in retarding agglomeration are most efficient in producing silicides with low sheet resistance.