Abstract:
A process is described for passivating completed FET devices by encapsulation. High purity silicon dioxide is deposited on the completed field effect transistor (FET) device by the RF sputtering of a high purity silicon dioxide target in an inert atmosphere. The sputtered silicon dioxide layer is made approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the FET gate. Then, the device is annealed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to restore the threshold voltage of the FET to its desired value prior to sputtering. Appropriate ranges are disclosed for the values of the temperature and the RF power density of the sputtering step and for the temperature and the time of the annealing step.