Component redistribution during Nb and In/Nb film growth on single-crystal silicon

The component redistribution during the growth of Nb and In/Nb films on single-crystal silicon has been studied by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that magnetron sputtering of indium onto niobium films gives rise to mass transfer across the Nb/Si interface and to niobium and silicon heterodiffusion, accompanied by chemical reactions and the formation of silicides. The likely reason for this is the generation of defects during the magnetron sputtering of indium.