The utility of thermodynamic potential (activity) diagrams in predicting the reaction zone
morphology developed in the GaSb/Co metallization contacts during thermal processing is
demonstrated. A number of experiments were designed to test the model. These are aimed
at determining phase equilibria in the Ga−Sb−Co system and studying the microstructural
evolution of the reaction zone in bulk as well as thin-film diffusion couples. Interfacial
reactions between cobalt and single-crystal (001) GaSb have been investigated at 500 °C.
No ternary phases exist in the system at this temperature. The cubic CoGa and CoSb3 phases
were observed to be dominant growing compounds in the semi-infinite bulk as well as in
thin-film reaction couples, the latter intermetallic being formed next to the GaSb substrate.
When the Co film is consumed by the reaction, the final configuration of the metallization
layer GaSb/CoSb3/CoGa was found. This information is important in designing uniform, stable
contacts for the metallization of gallium antimonide.