Abstract:
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a semiconductor layer over a substrate and forming an aluminum-silicon nitride layer upon the semiconductor layer. When the semiconductor layer in particular comprises a III-V semiconductor material such as a group III nitride semiconductor material or a gallium nitride semiconductor material, the aluminum-silicon nitride material provides a superior passivation in comparison with a silicon nitride material.
Abstract:
Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells, are provided that include a carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention form a memory cell by (a) depositing a layer of the carbon material above a substrate; (b) doping the deposited carbon layer with a dopant; (c) depositing a layer of the carbon material over the doped carbon layer; and (d) iteratively repeating steps (b) and (c) to form a stack of doped carbon layers having a desired thickness. Other aspects are also provided.
Abstract:
A dielectric cap (100) and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the dielectric cap (100) includes a dielectric material (108) having an optical band gap (e.g., greater than about 3.0 electron-Volts) to substantially block ultraviolet radiation during a curing treatment, and including nitrogen with electron donor, double bond electrons. The dielectric cap (100) exhibits a high modulus and is stable under post ULK UV curing treatments for, for example, copper low k back-end-of-line (BEOL) nanoelectronic devices, leading to less film and device cracking and improved reliability.
Abstract:
The invention provides, one aspect, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device (100). In one aspect, the method includes forming a carbide layer (170) over a gate electrode (150) and depositing a pre-metal dielectric layer (175) over the carbide layer. The method provides a significant reduction in NBTI (negative bias temperature instability) drift.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide improved processes and systems that produce a barrier layer with decreasing nitrogen concentration with the increase of film thickness. A barrier layer with decreasing nitrogen concentration with film thickness allows the end of barrier layer with high nitrogen concentration to have good adhesion with a dielectric layer and the end of barrier layer with low nitrogen concentration (or metal-rich) to have good adhesion with copper. An exemplary method of depositing a barrier layer on an interconnect structure is provided. The method includes (a) providing an atomic layer deposition environment, (b) depositing a barrier layer on the interconnect structure with a first nitrogen concentration during a first phase of deposition in the atomic layer deposition environment. The method further includes (c) continuing the deposition of the barrier layer on the interconnect structure with a second nitrogen concentration during a second phase deposition in the atomic layer deposition environment.
Abstract:
Formulations for voltage switchable dielectric materials include two or more different types of semiconductive materials uniformly dispersed within a dielectric matrix material. The semiconductive materials are selected to have different bandgap energies in order to provide the voltage switchable dielectric material with a stepped voltage response. The semiconductive materials can comprise inorganic particles, organic particles, or an organic material that is soluble in, or miscible with, the dielectric matrix material. Formulations optionally can also include electrically conductive materials. At least one of the conductive or semiconductive materials in a formulation can comprise particles characterized by an aspect ratio of at least 3 or greater.