We report a multi-elment, multi-edge and multi-detection mode X-ray photoabsorption study of a series of Al/TiN(x)/Si(100) thin films as a function of the TiN(x) film thickness (100A-500A) and of the annealing temperature (400 degrees C-600 degrees C). The Si K- and L-edge results show that Si does not diffuse to the surface for all the films. The high resolution Ti L-edge and N K-edge spectra show that the TiN(x) layer undergoes a dramatic chemical reaction with the gradual increase in the annealing temperature. This chemical reaction stabilizes at 560 degrees C at which the TiN(x) film is known to fail to act as an effective diffusion barrier between Al and Si.

Nanocomposite Si 1−x Ge x films are deposited by dual-source jet-type inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (jet-ICPCVD). The segregations and desorptions of Ge atoms, which dominate the structural evolutions of the films during high-temperature annealing, are investigated. When the annealing temperature (T a ) is 900 • C, the nanocomposite Si 1−x Ge x films are well crystallized, and nanocrystals (NCs) with the core-shell structure form in the films. After being annealed at 1000 • C (above the melting point of bulk Ge), Ge atoms accumulate on the surfaces of Ge-rich films, whereas pits appear on films with lower Ge content, resulting from desorption. Meanwhile, voids are observed in the films. A cone-like structure involving the percolation of the homogeneous clusters and the crystallization of NCs enhances Ge segregation.

Amorphous Ge-rich Si1−xGex films with local Ge-clustering were deposited by dual-source jet-type inductively coupled plasma chemical-vapor deposition (jet-ICPCVD). The structural evolution of the deposited films annealed at various temperatures (Ta) is investigated. Experimental results indicate that the crystallization occurs to form Ge and Si clusters as Ta = 500 °C. With raising Ta up to 900 °C, Ge clusters percolate together and Si diffuses and redistributes to form a Ge/SiGe core/shell structure, and some Ge atoms partially diffuse to the surface as a result of segregation. The present work will be helpful in understanding the structural evolution process of a hybrid SiGe films and beneficial for further optimizing the microstructure and properties.