The interface reaction of high-k La2Hf2O7/Si thin film grown by pulsed laser deposition

The La2Hf2O7 films have been deposited on Si (1 0 0) substrate by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrates that the as-grown film is amorphous and crystallizes after 1000 °C annealing. The interface structure is systematically studied by Synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Silicide, silicate and SiOx formations from interfacial reaction are observed on the surface of the Si substrate in the as-grown film. The impact of silicide formation on the electrical properties is revealed by capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements. By post-deposition annealing (PDA), silicide can be effectively eliminated and C–V property is obviously improved.