Study of Low-Temperature Oxidation in Au/Si and Cu/Si Systems by 7-MeV Alpha Particle Backscattering Analysis

Abstract
Low-temperature oxidation kinetics in the Au/Si and Cu/Si systems was measured by a 7-MeV alpha backscattering technique. The formation of a Si oxide layer near the surface in the Au/Si system is mainly controlled by intermixing between the Au and Si substrates. The formation of thick SiO2 in the Cu-Si interface at room temperature is a catalytic process due to the presence of a Cu3Si compound.