Charge redistribution to reduce contact resistivity in NiSi/Si system through interface modification: A first-principles study

M Miaojia Yuan (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) M Maokun Wu (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) Y Yichen Wen (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) Y Yilin Hu (Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California Irvine California USA) X Xuepei Wang (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) B Boyao Cui (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) J Jinhao Liu Y Yishan Wu (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) H Hong Dong F Feng Lu (Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) W Wei-Hua Wang P Pengpeng Ren (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) S Sheng Ye (School of Artificial Intelligence) H Hongliang Lu (Intelligent Transportation Thrust, Systems Hub) R Runsheng Wang Z Zhigang Ji (National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,)

Abstract

The metal–semiconductor contact resistivity has become a severe challenge for three-dimensional (3D) integration. In this work, starting from the physical origin, we propose that the charge redistribution is an effective strategy for decreasing Schottky barrier height (SBH), subsequently leading to a reduction in contact resistivity. Guided by this perspective, first-principles calculations are utilized to investigate the effect of a series of metal dopants on the SBH in the NiSi/Si system. The ΦBe values of NiSi/Si can be reduced to 0.27, 0.28, and 0.22 eV in Sc, Ti, and Zr doped systems, respectively. Especially for the Zr dopant, it can achieve ultra-low contact resistivity of 2.30 × 10−9 Ω cm2, which can be ascribed to the dominant charge redistribution effect. In contrast, high electronegativity dopants like Au and Ir increase ΦBe. Dopant diffusion and concentration effects are also examined, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach. This work provides a useful theoretical guidance in reducing contact resistivity for 3D integration.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 126, Issue 13
Published March 01, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (16)

M

Miaojia Yuan

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

M

Maokun Wu

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

Y

Yichen Wen

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

Y

Yilin Hu

Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California Irvine California USA

X

Xuepei Wang

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

B

Boyao Cui

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

J

Jinhao Liu

Y

Yishan Wu

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

H

Hong Dong

F

Feng Lu

Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

W

Wei-Hua Wang

P

Pengpeng Ren

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

S

Sheng Ye

School of Artificial Intelligence

H

Hongliang Lu

Intelligent Transportation Thrust, Systems Hub

R

Runsheng Wang

Z

Zhigang Ji

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,