Abstract: In one embodiment, an etch stop layer and a mold layer is sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate having an interlayer insulation layer. The interlayer insulation layer includes a conductive region formed therein. The mold layer is partially etched to expose a top surface of the etching stop layer. The exposed etching stop layer and an upper portion of the interlayer insulating layer are removed to form a first aperture part that exposes a portion of the conductive region. The conductive region exposed in the first aperture part is etched to form a second aperture part. A conductive layer for the capacitor storage node is deposited on the semiconductor substrate having the first and second aperture parts. The conductive layer provided on the mold layer is planarized to form separated capacitor storage nodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an etch stop layer and a mold layer is sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate having an interlayer insulation layer. The interlayer insulation layer includes a conductive region formed therein. The mold layer is partially etched to expose a top surface of the etching stop layer. The exposed etching stop layer and an upper portion of the interlayer insulating layer are removed to form a first aperture part that exposes a portion of the conductive region. The conductive region exposed in the first aperture part is etched to form a second aperture part. A conductive layer for the capacitor storage node is deposited on the semiconductor substrate having the first and second aperture parts. The conductive layer provided on the mold layer is planarized to form separated capacitor storage nodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal layer is provided in which variation of surface morphology resulting from thermal oxidation is suppressed. The metal layer is pretreated at a first temperature so that an upper surface of the metal layer is changed into a mixed phase of metal and oxygen and becomes substantially resistant to further oxidation during a subsequent heating at a higher temperature in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an etch stop layer and a mold layer is sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate having an interlayer insulation layer. The interlayer insulation layer includes a conductive region formed therein. The mold layer is partially etched to expose a top surface of the etching stop layer. The exposed etching stop layer and an upper portion of the interlayer insulating layer are removed to form a first aperture part that exposes a portion of the conductive region. The conductive region exposed in the first aperture part is etched to form a second aperture part. A conductive layer for the capacitor storage node is deposited on the semiconductor substrate having the first and second aperture parts. The conductive layer provided on the mold layer is planarized to form separated capacitor storage nodes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by controlling thermal budgets is provided. In the method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device, a lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The lower electrode is heat-treated with a first thermal budget. A dielectric layer is formed on the heat-treated lower electrode. The dielectric layer is crystallized by heat-treating the dielectric layer with a second thermal budget which is smaller than the first thermal budget.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma annealing layers of a microelectronic capacitor on a substrate are provided to improve the leakage current characteristics of a capacitor and/or to reduce the number of impurities in an electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal layer is provided in which variation of surface morphology resulting from thermal oxidation is suppressed. The metal layer is pretreated at a first temperature so that an upper surface of the metal layer is changed into a mixed phase of metal and oxygen and becomes substantially resistant to further oxidation during a subsequent heating at a higher temperature in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal layer is provided in which variation of surface morphology resulting from thermal oxidation is suppressed. The metal layer is pretreated at a first temperature so that an upper surface of the metal layer is changed into a mixed phase of metal and oxygen and becomes substantially resistant to further oxidation during a subsequent heating at a higher temperature in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A mask for a selective growth of a solid, is provided in which the solid is selectively grown in a predetermined region of a substrate and growth on other regions is suppressed. A method is also provided for selectively growing a solid on only the predetermined region of a substrate using the mask. In the mask, a surface layer and an underlayer are provided, each having different chemical compositions. Thus, even if the mask is formed on a substrate in an ultra thin film, the generation of mask defects can be suppressed and stability provided to heat and electron beams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for oxygen radical annealing or plasma annealing various layers (e.g., a lower electrode, a dielectric layer, or an upper electrode) of a microelectronic capacitor on a substrate are provided. By oxygen radical or plasma annealing the lower electrode of the capacitor, the leakage current characteristic of the capacitor may be improved such that the leakage current is reduced, for example, by a factor of 100 or more. The amount of impurities on the lower electrode may also be reduced. Oxygen radical or plasma annealing the dielectric layer of the capacitor may improve the leakage current characteristics of the capacitor and may reduce the amount of impurities in the dielectric layer. By ozone annealing the upper electrode, the leakage current characteristic of the capacitor may be improved and the number of oxygen vacancies formed in the dielectric layer may be reduced.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by controlling thermal budgets is provided. In the method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device, a lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The lower electrode is heat-treated with a first thermal budget. A dielectric layer is formed on the heat-treated lower electrode. The dielectric layer is crystallized by heat-treating the dielectric layer with a second thermal budget which is smaller than the first thermal budget.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by a two-step thermal treatment is provided. A lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the lower electrode. An upper electrode formed of a noble metal is formed over the dielectric layer. The resultant having the upper electrode undergoes a first thermal treatment under a first atmosphere including oxygen at a first temperature which is selected to be within a range of 200-600° C., which is lower than the oxidation temperature of the upper electrode. The first thermally treated resultant undergoes a second thermal treatment under a second atmosphere without oxygen at a second temperature which is selected to be within a range of 300-900° C., which is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal layer is provided in which variation of surface morphology resulting from thermal oxidation is suppressed. The metal layer is pretreated at a first temperature so that an upper surface of the metal layer is changed into a mixed phase of metal and oxygen and becomes substantially resistant to further oxidation during a subsequent heating at a higher temperature in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by a two-step thermal treatment is provided. A lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the lower electrode. An upper electrode formed of a noble metal is formed over the dielectric layer. The resultant having the upper electrode undergoes a first thermal treatment under a first atmosphere including oxygen at a first temperature which is selected to be within a range of 200-600° C., which is lower than the oxidation temperature of the upper electrode. The first thermally treated resultant undergoes a second thermal treatment under a second atmosphere without oxygen at a second temperature which is selected to be within a range of 300-900° C., which is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A mask for a selective growth of a solid, is provided in which the solid is selectively grown in a predetermined region of a substrate and growth on other regions is suppressed. A method is also provided for selectively growing a solid on only the predetermined region of a substrate using the mask. In the mask, a surface layer and an underlayer are provided, each having different chemical compositions. Thus, even if the mask is formed on a substrate in an ultra thin film, the generation of mask defects can be suppressed and stability provided to heat and electron beams.

Abstract: A mask for a selective growth of a solid, is provided in which the solid is selectively grown in a predetermined region of a substrate and growth on other regions is suppressed. A method is also provided for selectively growing a solid on only the predetermined region of a substrate using the mask. In the mask, a surface layer and an underlayer are provided, each having different chemical compositions. Thus, even if the mask is formed on a substrate in an ultra thin film, the generation of mask defects can be suppressed and stability provided to heat and electron beams.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming an electrically insulating layer on a face of a semiconductor substrate and then patterning the electrically insulating layer to define a contact hole therein. A barrier metal layer is then formed in at least a portion of the contact hole. A lower electrode metal layer is then formed on the barrier metal layer and then planarized by reflowing the lower electrode metal layer at a temperature greater than about 650.degree. C. in a nitrogen gas ambient, to define a lower capacitor electrode. A layer of material having a high dielectric constant is then formed on the lower capacitor electrode. An upper capacitor electrode is then formed on the dielectric layer, opposite the lower capacitor electrode. The dielectric layer may comprise Ba(Sr, Ti)O.sub.3, Pb(Zr, Ti)O.sub.3, Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, SiO.sub.2, SiN.sub.3, SrTiO.sub.3, PZT, SrBi.sub.2 Ta.sub.2 O.sub.9, (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O.sub.3 and Bi.sub.4 Ti.sub.3 O.sub.12.