Hafnium-based (Hf-N) films were prepared by reactive radio frequency (rf)-magnetron sputtering on blank silicon wafers. Nitrogen incorporation and phase transformation of hafnium-based thin film were analyzed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-deposited Hf film has a hexagonal close-packed structure and a low resistivity of 48.29 muOmega cm. With increasing nitrogen concentration of Hf-N film, phase transformations are identified as alpha-Hf --> HfN0.4 --> epsilon-Hf3N2 --> fcc-HfN. The thermal stability of the Cu/Hf-N/Si contact system is evaluated by thermal stressing at various annealing temperatures. For the Cu/Hf/Si contact system, the inter-facial reaction between the Hf barrier layer and the Cu layer is observed after annealing at 550degreesC for 30 min, and copper-hafnium compounds form. Highly resistive copper silicide forms after annealing at 600degreesC for 30 min. The Elf barrier fails due to the reaction of Cu and the Hf barrier, in which Cu atoms penetrate into the Si substrate after annealing at high temperature. However, no copper-hafnium and copper silicide compounds are found for the Cu/HfN0.47/Si contact system even after annealing at 650degreesC for 30 min. A hafnium diffusion barrier incorporated with nitrogen can suppress the formation of copper-hafnium compounds and copper penetration, and thus enhance the thermal stability of the barrier layer. (C) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.