Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
The self-alignment of the Co-Si interaction at the edge of a Si-SiO2 transition has previously been ascribed to the fact that Co is the main moving species during silicide formation. However, the reactions in the Co-Si system are more complex. The phenomena of lateral silicidation and encroachment are therefore investigated at various stages of the Co/Si reaction using samples starting either from sputtered Co layers or from cosputtered Co-Si multilayers with varying average stoichiometries. The mechanisms resulting in the absence of lateral silicidation are clarified.