Abstract: A method of forming oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) dielectric of a SONOS-type nonvolatile storage device is disclosed. According to a first embodiment, a method may include the steps of forming a tunneling dielectric (step 102), forming a charge storing dielectric (step 104), and forming a top insulating layer (step 106) all in the same wafer processing tool. According to various aspects of the embodiments, all layers of an ONO dielectric of a SONOS-type device may be formed in the same general temperature range. Further, a tunneling dielectric may include a tunnel oxide formed with a long, low pressure oxidation, and a top insulating layer may include silicon dioxide formed with a preheated source gas.

Abstract: A method of forming a charge storing layer is disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method may include the steps of forming a first portion of a charge storing layer with a first gas flow rate ratio (step 102), forming at least a second portion of the charge storing layer by changing to a second gas flow rate ratio that is different than the first gas flow rate ratio (step 104), and forming at least a third portion of the charge storing layer by changing to a third gas flow rate ratio that is different than the second gas flow rate ratio (step 106).