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Title: Photoactivated Ru chemical vapor deposition using (η 3 -allyl)Ru(CO) 3 X (X = Cl, Br, I): From molecular adsorption to Ru thin film deposition
NSF-PAR ID:
10361741
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
American Vacuum Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A
Volume:
40
Issue:
2
ISSN:
0734-2101
Page Range / eLocation ID:
Article No. 023404
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  2. Abstract

    Achieving facile nucleation of noble metal films through atomic layer deposition (ALD) is extremely challenging. To this end, η4‐2,3‐dimethylbutadiene ruthenium(0)tricarbonyl (Ru(DMBD)(CO)3), a zero‐valent complex, has recently been reported to achieve good nucleation by ALD at relatively low temperatures and mild reaction conditions. The authors study the growth mechanism of this precursor by in situ quartz‐crystal microbalance and quadrupole mass spectrometry during Ru ALD, complemented by ex situ film characterization and kinetic modeling. These studies reveal that Ru(DMBD)(CO)3produces high‐quality Ru films with excellent nucleation properties. This results in smooth, coalesced films even at low film thicknesses, all important traits for device applications. However, Ru deposition follows a kinetically limited decarbonylation reaction scheme, akin to typical chemical vapor deposition processes, with a strong dependence on both temperature and reaction timescale. The non‐self‐limiting nature of the kinetically driven mechanism presents both challenges for ALD implementation and opportunities for process tuning. By surveying reports of similar precursors, it is suggested that the findings can be generalized to the broader class of zero‐oxidation state carbonyl‐based precursors used in thermal ALD, with insight into the design of effective saturation studies.

     
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