Abstract
The interface of GaAs-Pd was investigated on an atomic scale by a time-of-flight (TOF) atom-probe field ion microscope (FIM). It was found that Pd reacts strongly with Ga even at room temperature to form a stable PdGa compound. Depending upon heat treatment conditions, several types of Pd-(Ga, As) ternary compounds were also formed. A thin layer (less than a few monolayers) of As was quite often detected at the outermost surface layer when the interface was heated up to 400°C. Above 400°C only the most stable PdGa phase was observed at the interface. At a temperature range between 200 and 400°C, the segregated Ga phase was also found beneath the As layer. The interfacial reactions can be understood by the following two processes: (1) Pd atoms diffuse into the GaAs substrate to form a stable Pd-Ga bond and (2) As, whose bonding with Ga is broken, becomes loose and migrates to the surface and desorbs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3448-3453 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1986 Dec 1 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)