Abstract:
A semiconductor structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a non-volatile charge trap memory device disposed on a first region and a logic device disposed on a second region. A charge trap dielectric stack may be formed subsequent to forming wells and channels of the logic device. HF pre-cleans and SC1 cleans may be avoided to improve the quality of a blocking layer of the non-volatile charge trap memory device. The blocking layer may be thermally reoxidized or nitridized during a thermal oxidation or nitridation of a logic MOS gate insulator layer to densify the blocking layer. A multi-layered liner may be utilized to first offset a source and drain implant in a high voltage logic device and also block silicidation of the nonvolatile charge trap memory device.
Abstract:
A method of making a semiconductor structure comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate; forming a silicon nitride layer on the oxide layer; annealing the layers in NO; and annealing the layers in ammonia. The equivalent oxide thickness of the oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer together is at most 25 Angstroms.
Abstract:
A method of making a semiconductor structure includes depositing a nitride layer, on a metallic layer, by PECVD. The metallic layer is on a gate layer containing silicon, and the gate layer is on a semiconductor substrate.
Abstract:
A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises oxidizing a stack, to form sidewall oxide in contact with sides of the stack. The stack is on a semiconductor substrate, the stack includes a gate layer, comprising silicon; a metallic layer, on the gate layer; and an etch-stop layer, on the metallic layer. The sidewall oxide in contact with the metallic layer is thinner than the sidewall oxide in contact with the gate layer.
Abstract:
A method of nitriding a gate oxide layer by annealing a preformed oxide layer with nitric oxide (NO) gas in a hot wall, single wafer furnace is provided. The nitridation process can be carried out rapidly (i.e., at nitridation times of 30 seconds to 2 minutes) while providing acceptable levels of nitridation (i.e., up to 6 at. %) and desirable nitrogen/depth profiles. The nitrided gate oxide layer can optionally be reoxidized in a second oxidation step after the nitridation step. A gate electrode layer (e.g., boron doped polysilicon) can then be deposited on top of the nitrided gate oxide layer or on top of the reoxidized and nitrided gate oxide layer.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an interconnect line on one level of an integrated circuit is electrically coupled to another interconnect line on another level. The two layers of interconnects may be coupled together using a via. To reduce capacitance between the interconnect lines, an air core is formed between them. The air core may be formed by using a chemistry that includes a noble gas fluoride to etch a sacrificial layer between the interconnect layers.
Abstract:
A method is provided for eliminating a polish stop layer from a polishing process. In particular, a method is provided which may include polishing an upper layer of a semiconductor topography to form an upper surface at an elevation above an underlying layer, wherein the upper surface does not include a polish stop material. Preferably, the upper surface of the topography formed by polishing is spaced sufficiently above the underlying layer to avoid polishing the underlying layer. The entirety of the upper surface may be simultaneously etched to expose the underlying layer. In an embodiment, the underlying layer may comprise a lateral variation in polish characteristics. The method may include using fixed abrasive polishing of a dielectric layer for reducing a required thickness of an additional layer underlying the dielectric layer. Such a method may be useful when exposing an underlying layer is desirable by techniques other than polishing.
Abstract:
A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises forming an etch-stop layer comprising nitride, on a stack. The stack is on a semiconductor substrate, and the stack comprises (i) a gate layer. The forming is by CVD with a gas comprising a first compound which is SixL2x, and a second compound comprising nitrogen and deuterium, L is an amino group, and X is 1 or 2.
Abstract translation:形成半导体结构的方法包括在叠层上形成包含氮化物的蚀刻停止层。 堆叠在半导体衬底上,堆叠包括(i)栅极层。 通过CVD形成是用包含第二化合物的气体,该第一化合物是Si x L 2 x X 2,以及包含氮和氘的第二化合物,L是氨基,X是 是1或2。
Abstract:
A method and process reducing or eliminating electrical leakage between active areas in a semiconductor separated by isolation regions. A method and process are disclosed for the fabrication of an isolation region in a semiconductor. The method and process can be used in the fabrication of isolation regions used for the separation of adjacent active areas in an integrated circuit. A shallow trench is created on the surface of the semiconductor in regions where isolation spaces are to be formed. A layer of silicon dioxide (LINOX) is then grown over the surfaces of the trench. The LINOX covers roughened regions formed along the surfaces of the trench during its formation. The LINOX is then annealed at a temperature above the LINOX deposition temperature for a period of time. Annealing reduces stresses in the LINOX and in the surrounding semiconductor material. Annealing also increases the density of the LINOX. Thus annealing increases the LINOX resistance to gouge during subsequent processing. This leads to a reduction in dislocations in the semiconductor and a reduction in electrical leakage around the isolation region. A more robust LINOX and a reduction in electrical leakage around an isolation region allows the further shrinkage of integrated circuit dimensions. Furthermore, denuding and gettering of the semiconductor are both accomplished during the annealing step which results in a shortening of total processing time. Finally, since gouging of the LINOX no longer occurs where poly/spacer etch overlaps an active area corner, restrictions on placement of poly lines have been eliminated.
Abstract:
A method is provided which includes forming a deep isolation structure within a semiconductor topography. In some cases, the method may include forming a first isolation structure within a semiconductor layer and etching an opening within the isolation structure to expose the semiconductor layer. In addition, the method may include etching the semiconductor layer to form a trench extending through the isolation structure and at least part of the semiconductor layer. In some cases, the method may include removing part of a first fill layer deposited within the trench such that an upper surface of the fill layer is below an upper portion of the trench. In such an embodiment, the vacant portion of the trench may be filled with a second fill layer. In yet other embodiments, the method may include planarizing the first fill layer within the trench and subsequently oxidizing an upper portion of the fill layer.