Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of processing selected surfaces in a semiconductor process chamber by creating a temperature differential between the selected surfaces and contacting the surfaces with a reactant that preferentially react with a surface at one end of the temperature differential relative to the other selected surface(s). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas for in situ cleaning of cold wall process chambers such as Rapid thermal Chemical Vaporization (“RTCVD”) systems.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of preparing a surface of a silicon wafer for formation of HSG structures. The method contemplates providing a wafer having at least one HSG template comprising polysilicon formed in BPSG, the HSG template being covered by silicon dioxide. The wafer is treated with a cleaning agent to clean the surface of the wafer. Next, the wafer is treated with a conditioning agent. The conditioning agent removes native oxide from the HSG template without excessively etching structural BPSG. Preferably, the conditioning agent also removes a thin layer of polysilicon on the HSG template. The wafer is then transferred to a process chamber for HSG formation.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of preparing a surface of a silicon wafer for formation of HSG structures. The method contemplates providing a wafer having at least one HSG template comprising polysilicon formed in BPSG, the HSG template being covered by silicon dioxide. The wafer is treated with a cleaning agent to clean the surface of the wafer. Next, the wafer is treated with a conditioning agent. The conditioning agent removes native oxide from the HSG template without excessively etching structural BPSG. Preferably, the conditioning agent also removes a thin layer of polysilicon on the HSG template. The wafer is then transferred to a process chamber for HSG formation.
Abstract:
A process for etching oxides having differing densities which is not only highly selective, but which also produces uniform etches is provided and includes the steps of providing an oxide layer on a surface of a substrate, exposing the oxide layer to a liquid comprising a halide-containing species, and exposing the oxide layer to a gas phase comprising a halide-containing species. The process desirably is used to selectively etch a substrate surface in which the surface of the substrate includes on a first portion thereof a first silicon oxide and on a second portion thereof a second silicon oxide, with the first silicon oxide being relatively more dense than the second silicon oxide, such as, for example, a process which forms a capacitor storage cell on a semiconductor substrate.
Abstract:
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. Trenches are formed in a semiconductor region using a masking layer such that the trenches have a first depth, a first width along their bottom, and sidewalls having a first slope. The masking layer is removed, and a bevel etch is performed to taper the sidewalls of the trenches so that the sidewalls have a second slope less than the first slope.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure which includes a shielded gate FET is formed as follows. A plurality of trenches is formed in a semiconductor region using a mask. The mask includes (i) a first insulating layer over a surface of the semiconductor region, (ii) a first oxidation barrier layer over the first insulating layer, and (iii) a second insulating layer over the first oxidation barrier layer. A shield dielectric is formed extending along at least lower sidewalls of each trench. A thick bottom dielectric (TBD) is formed along the bottom of each trench. The first oxidation barrier layer prevents formation of a dielectric layer along the surface of the semiconductor region during formation of the TBD. A shield electrode is formed in a bottom portion of each trench. A gate electrode is formed over the shield electrode in each trench.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator region on a substrate. The semiconductor-on-insulator region includes a first semiconductor region overlying a dielectric region. The device includes an MOS transistor and a bipolar transistor. The MOS transistor has a drain region, a body region, and a source region in the first semiconductor region. The MOS transistor also includes a gate. The device also includes a second semiconductor region overlying the substrate and adjacent to the drain region, and a third semiconductor region overlying the substrate and adjacent to the second semiconductor region. The bipolar transistor includes has the drain region of the MOS transistor as an emitter, the second semiconductor region as a base, and the third semiconductor region as a collector. Accordingly, the drain of the MOS transistor also functions as the emitter of the bipolar transistor. Additionally, the gate and the base are coupled by a resistive element.
Abstract:
A method for forming a shielded gate trench field effect transistor (FET) includes forming trenches in a semiconductor region, forming a shield electrode in a bottom portion of each trench, and forming an inter-electrode dielectric (IED) extending over the shield electrode. The IED may comprise a low-k dielectric. The method also includes forming a gate electrode in an upper portion of each trench over the IED.
Abstract:
The present invention is for a fast optic nonvolatile memory cell (FONM) that operates with a speed >1000000 times faster than the commercially available FLASH memory. The information (or charges) can be entered into the FONM cell by switching on a built-in laser or LED (Light Emitting Diode). Excited by the lights, and driven by electric fields, the regions of low carrier lifetimes thermally generate excess electrons or positive charges to fill the storage gaps or interfaces. To detect the stored information, two BJTs (Bipolar Junction Transistors) are arranged in a mirrored configuration—with alternative regions of high or low carrier lifetimes and bandgap energies. By comparing the BJT “fly-back” characteristics a voltage difference can be detected as a signal of whether the information is stored or not stored.
Abstract:
A power device includes a semiconductor region which in turn includes a plurality of alternately arranged pillars of first and second conductivity type. Each of the plurality of pillars of second conductivity type further includes a plurality of implant regions of the second conductivity type arranged on top of one another along the depth of pillars of second conductivity type, and a trench portion filled with semiconductor material of the second conductivity type directly above the plurality of implant regions of second conductivity type.