Abstract: A metal interconnection is prepared by forming an underlying metal film of high melting point metal such as Ti and/or high melting point metal compound such as TiN layers above a semiconductor substrate, plasma etching the surface of the underlying metal film in a gas atmosphere containing chloride, and forming an interconnecting metal film such as Al, Cu, Au and Ag on the underlying metal film. Alternatively, a metal interconnection is prepared by forming an insulating film above a semiconductor substrate, forming connection holes in the insulating film, forming an underlying metal film such as TiN on the insulating film and the bottom and side wall of the connection holes by a CVD process under controlled conditions, and forming an interconnecting metal film such as Al on the underlying metal film. The TiN film has (111) preferential orientation and the aluminum film has (111) preferential orientation, smooth surface and effective coverage.

Abstract: An antifuse element provided on a semiconductor device comprises a bottom electrode, an antifuse material layer, and a top electrode. At least the uppermost portion of the bottom electrode is made of metallic silicide in which the metal composition ratio is set to greater than the stoichiometry composition ratio. The metallic silicide is obtained by silicidizing the metal at a temperature of 400.degree.-700.degree. C. The crystal orientation of the thus formed metallic silicide is at random, and therefore the surface of the bottom electrode made of metallic silicide becomes flatter and smoother. The metal component of the metallic silicide is effectively used in the forming of the filament when a breakdown voltage is applied to the selected electrodes for an electrical connection.

Abstract: An antifuse element suitable for use in FPGA. When a device is miniaturized to reduce the write voltage in an antifuse element and as the film thickness of the antifuse dielectric film is being reduced, the dielectric breakdown voltage is greatly variable due to the irregularity of the underlying metal. If the dielectric film is formed by a metal oxide having a relatively high specific permitivity without changing its parasitic capacity as compared to the prior art, the film thickness of the dielectric film can be increased in comparison with oxide and nitride films formed according to the prior art. The irregularity of the underlying metal can be reduced by coating it with a metal nitride or TiB film or TiC film. To equalize the dielectric breakdown voltage, another insulation film having a film thickness such that the direct tunnel conduction is dominant is formed below the metal oxide.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which comprises: a step of forming a first electrode composed of tantalum and tungsten over a semiconductor substrate; a step of depositing a dielectric film of tantalum oxide on the first electrode; a step of oxidizing the first electrode and the dielectric film of tantalum oxide; and a step of forming a second electrode over the dielectric film.

Abstract: When a MOSFET containing a tantalum pentoxide film as a gate insulating film is formed, ion implantation is applied such that the end of an insulating film containing a tantalum pentoxide film situates to the outside of a gate electrode to thereby form source and drain regions. This can effectively prevent troubles such as short-circuitting due to tantalum pentoxide film and a highly reliable MOSFET can be obtained without applying light oxidation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a large-capacitance capacitor in which an insulator film is formed underneath a film made of a material having a high dielectric constant, such as tantalum oxide, in such a manner that a portion of the insulator film underneath a defect region which is undesirably thin is thicker than other portions of the insulator film, thereby preventing occurrence of a failure in terms of dielectric strength and deterioration of the lifetime of the capacitor which would otherwise be caused by the existence of the defect region. Also disclosed is a process for producing such semiconductor device. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent occurrence of problems which would otherwise be caused when a material having a high dielectric constant, such as tantalum oxide, is employed as a dielectric film of a capacitor, so that the reliability of a semiconductor having a large-capacitance capacitor is greatly improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a large-capacitance capacitor in which an insulator film is formed underneath a film made of a material having a high dielectric constant, such as tantalum oxide, in such a manner that a portion of the insulator film underneath a defect region which is undesirably thin is thicker than other portions of the insulator film, thereby preventing occurrence of a failure in terms of dielectric strength and deterioration of the lifetime of the capacitor which would otherwise be caused by the existence of the defect region. Also disclosed is a process for producing such semiconductor device. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent occurrence of problems which would otherwise be caused when a material having a high dielectric constant, such as tantalum oxide, is employed as a dielectric film of a capacitor, so that the reliability of a semiconductor having a large-capacitance capacitor is greatly improved.

Abstract: A reaction-preventing film is provided between a capacitor insulating film made of a material having a high dielectric constant, such as Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, and an upper electrode in order to prevent a reaction of the upper electrode with the capacitor insulating film. This effectively prevents the reaction between the upper electrode and the capacitor caused by a heat treatment conducted after formation of the capacitor, and hence prevents an increase in leakage current caused by the reaction. Thus, the reliability of a semiconductor device is remarkably increased.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided such as the type having flip-flop memory cells each including two bipolar transistors in cross connection with each other. In certain embodiments, at least a part of a Schottky barrier diode or capacitor in the memory cell is formed under a digit line. This memory device is greatly reduced in its required area, and the Schottky barrier diode and capacitor are negligibly influenced by the digit line. In other embodiments, it is arranged to provide different electrodes for the Schottky barrier diode and the capacitor to optimize construction in a minimized space.