X-ray absorption measurements of 100 angstrom Zr thin films deposited
on Si(111) substrates in UHV have been obtained by using a total elect
ron yield detector. Experiments were performed on Zr/Si thin films in
order to obtain structural information and find the optimum annealing
temperature to produce uniform ZrSi2 epitaxial thin films on Si(111) s
ubstrates. A quantitative X-ray absorption fine structure analysis ind
icates that the films annealed above 650-degrees-C form ZiSi2 disilici
des, which have the orthorhombic-base centered C49 structure.