The gettering of copper by keV implantation of germanium into silicon
is investigated. Germanium is implanted at a fixed energy with varying
doses into the front side of silicon samples. Copper is thermally eva
porated on the backside of the samples and then annealed at 900 degree
s C for 1 h and 10 h, respectively, to allow in-diffusion of the trans
ition metal. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy secondary-ion-mass
spectroscopy, and cross-section transmission electron microscopy are
used to demonstrate that gettering of copper is achieved through stack
ing faults created by heavy dose germanium implantation and solid-phas
e epitaxy. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.