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Morphology and chemical composition of cobalt germanide islands on Ge(001): in-situ nanoscale insights into contact formation for Ge-based device technology

The reactive growth of cobalt germanide on Ge(001) was investigated by means of in-situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy photoemission electron microscopy (XAS-PEEM), micro-illumination low-energy electron diffraction ($μ$-LEED), and ex-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). At a Co deposition temperature of 670°C, a rich morphology with different island shapes and dimensions is observed, and a correlation between island morphology and stoichiometry is found. Combining XAS-PEEM and $μ$-LEED, we were able to identify a large part of the islands to consist of CoGe$_2$, with many of them having an unusual epitaxial relationship: CoGe$_2$[$\bar110$](111) $\parallel$ Ge[$\bar110$](001). Side facets with (112) and (113) orientation have been found for such islands. However, two additional phases were observed, most likely Co$_5$Ge$_7$ and CoGe. The occurrence of these intermediate phases is promoted by defects, as revealed by comparing growth on Ge(001) single crystals and on Ge(001)/Si(001) epilayer substrates.