Abstract: A structure of a capacitor includes an electromigration layer, which is located on a dielectric layer and serves as a lower electrode of the capacitor. A pattered capacitor dielectric layer is located on the electromigration layer, and a patterned metallic layer is located on the capacitor dielectric layer and serves as an upper electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: The channel doping profile of a PMOS field effect transistor consists of a shallow distribution of a P-type dopant as a threshold adjust implant, a deeper distribution of an N-type dopant as an buried channel stop implant and a still deeper implantation of an N-type dopant as an antipunchthrough implant. A junction is formed between the P-type threshold adjust implant and the N-type buried channel stop implant at a relatively shallow depth so that the depth of the buried channel region is limited by the buried channel stop implant, reducing the short channel effect. The channel doping profile is formed so that diffsion of impurities from the channel region to the gate oxide is prevented. The buried channel stop implant is made first through a sacrificial oxide layer. The sacrificial oxide is etched and a gate oxide layer and a thin film of polysilicon are deposited on the surface of the gate oxide.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a dual gate of embedded DRAM forms a conductive layer on a substrate having a memory cell region and a logic circuitry. A gate structure is then formed on the substrate of the memory cell region and the conductive layer of the logic circuitry is removed by patterning the conductive layer. A polysilicon layer is then deposited and a dual gate structure is formed by patterning the polysilicon layer, and simultaneously, a polysilicon spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate structure in the logic circuitry. The polysilicon spacer is then removed. An insulated spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate structure and the dual gate structure, and a silicide layer is formed on the dual gate structure and the exposed substrate of the logic circuitry.

Abstract: The capacitor of a DRAM cell is formed by depositing a layer of doped polysilicon, patterning the layer of doped polysilicon to define the extent of the capacitor's lower electrode and then depositing a first layer of hemispherical-grained silicon (HSG-Si) on the layer of doped polysilicon. Growth of the first layer of HSG-Si is interrupted and then a second layer of HSG-Si is grown. In one aspect, growth of the first layer of HSG-Si may be interrupted by either cooling the deposition substrate or stopping deposition for a period of time and then reinitiating deposition to provide a second layer of HSG-SI on the surface of the electrode. The interruption of the growth of the first layer, whether by cooling or by delay, is sufficient if the reinitiated growth initiates in a manner that is independent of the first process; i.e., the second layer of HSG-Si grows independently.

Abstract: A method of fabricating DRAM and embedded DRAM. A contact pad is formed in the periphery/logic circuitry region simultaneously with the formation of the bit line in the memory region. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure is formed in the memory region by damascene, and a contact and a contact pad are formed in the periphery/logic circuitry region. The formation of the contact in the periphery/logic circuitry is formed step by step to lower the difficulty to fabricate the deep contact. The capacitor electrodes are made by metal layers, which can increase the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: A method for depositing dielectric material into gaps between wiring lines in the formation of a semiconductor device includes the formation of a cap layer and the formation of gaps into which high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) dielectric material is deposited. First and second antireflective coatings may be formed on the wiring line layer, the first and second antireflective coatings being made from different materials. Both antireflective coatings and the wiring line layer are etched through to form wiring lines separated by gaps. The gaps between wiring lines may be filled using high density plasma chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a DRAM device to reduce the stress and enhance the adhesion between the top electrode and the interlevel dielectric layer, includes forming a titanium layer between the top electrode and the interlevel dielectric layer. A titanium oxide layer and a titanium silicide are formed between the titanium layer and the interlevel dielectric layer in post thermal procedures, which enhances the adhesion and avoids cracks and leakage current between the top electrode and the interlevel dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for depositing dielectric material into gaps between wiring lines in the formation of a semiconductor device includes the deposition of dielectric layers using high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD). A first HDPCVD step is carried out to form a first dielectric layer over the wiring lines and into the gaps between wiring lines. A PECVD step is carried out to deposit dielectric material over the first dielectric layer and within and to define a opening in the gap. A second HDPCVD step is carried out and the opening defined by the PECVD step is capped by a third dielectric layer. The method allows air-filled voids to be formed between adjacent metal wiring lines in a highly controlled manner which allows selection of the shape of the voids and precise location of the top of the voids. In addition, the voids are sealed by a denser and more durable material than is typical.

Abstract: A method of planarizing a pre-metal dielectric layer using chemical-mechanical polishing, in order to alleviate the problem of resistance reduction when making products having poly-loads, includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor component formed thereabove. A pre-metal dielectric layer is formed above the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the pre-metal dielectric layer is planarized using chemical-mechanical polishing. Next, a silicon-rich oxide layer, that has a characteristic gettering property which can be used to compensate for the weakening of the gettering ability of the pre-metal dielectric layer, due to the wearing out of the layer in a chemical-mechanical polishing operation, is formed above the pre-metal dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a barrier layer comprising the steps of first providing a semiconductor substrate that has a conductive layer already formed thereon. Then, a dielectric layer such as an organic low-k dielectric layer is deposited over the conductive layer and the semiconductor substrate. Next, an opening in formed in the dielectric layer exposing the conductive layer. Thereafter, a first barrier layer is deposited into the opening and the surrounding area. The first barrier layer can be a silicon-contained layer or a doped silicon (doped-Si) layer formed by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method, a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) method, an electron beam evaporation method or a sputtering method. Finally, a second barrier layer is formed over the first barrier layer. The second barrier layer can be a titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) layer, a tungsten nitride (WN) layer, a tantalum (Ta) layer or a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer.

Abstract: An SRAM cell having improved stability includes pass transistors having gate electrodes which are shaped by oxidation so that the lower edges of the gate electrodes are raised away from the substrate surface. Because the gate electrodes of the load and pull-down transistors are masked during the oxidation process, the gate electrodes of the load and pull-down transistors have the conventional rectangular shape. The modified shape of the gate electrodes of the pass transistors decreases the current flowing through the pass transistors relative to that which flows through the pull-down transistors, reducing the likelihood that data can inadvertently be lost from the SRAM cell.

Abstract: A multilevel interconnect structure is formed in a manner that reduces the problems associated with the formation and subsequent filling of unlanded vias. A first level wiring line is provided on the surface of an interlayer dielectric. The upper surface and sidewalls of the first level wiring line are covered with an etch stop material that is different from the intermetal dielectric used to separate the first level of wiring line from upper levels of wiring lines. The intermetal dielectric layer is deposited over the first level wiring line and a via is etched through the intermetal dielectric to expose the etch stop material above the wiring line, with the via etch stopping on the etch stop material. Etch stop material is removed to expose a portion of the upper surface of the wiring line and a metal plug is formed within the via and then an upper level wiring line is formed in contact with the metal plug.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a floating-gate electrode (14) overlying a surface (24) of a substrate (10). A diffusion barrier layer (34) extends from the substrate surface (24) along a wall surface (30) of the floating-gate electrode (14) to an upper surface (32) of the floating-gate electrode (14) and overlies the upper surface (32). The diffusion barrier layer (34) blocks the silicidation of the floating-gate electrode (14) and prevents ionic contaminants from diffusing to the floating-gate electrode (14). A charge control region (42) of the floating-gate electrode (14) is capacitively coupled to a well region (40) within the substrate (10). The well region (40) functions as a diffused control-gate electrode and regulates the voltage of the floating-gate electrode (14).

Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned contact window such that the method is compatible with the process of forming a self-aligned titanium silicide layer on the same device, and hence capable of miniaturizing device dimensions. Furthermore, this invention utilizes the thicker etching stop layer thickness above the gate region than above the source/drain region to protect the titanium silicide layer in the gate region against electrical contact with the self-aligned contact.

Abstract: The capacitor of a DRAM cell is formed by depositing a layer of doped polysilicon, patterning the layer of doped polysilicon to define the extent of the capacitor's lower electrode and depositing a layer of hemispherical-grained silicon (HSG-Si) on the layer of doped polysilicon. A thin layer of amorphous silicon is then formed over the HSG-Si layer. This textured polysilicon structure forms the lower electrode of the DRAM capacitor. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode is formed from a second layer of doped polysilicon. As-formed HSG-Si grains tend to form sharp intersections with the polysilicon layers on which they grow. When these HSG-Si grains are exposed to a thermal oxidation environment, poor quality oxides are formed at the sharp corners between the HSG-Si grains and the doped polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a DRAM includes forming a transfer FET on a substrate, the FET having a gate on a gate oxide layer above the substrate and a first and second source/drain region in the substrate on either side of a channel region under the gate. The first and second source/drain regions are typically exposed or nearly exposed in a spacer etch process. A silicon nitride etch stop layer is deposited over the entire structure and then a thick layer of oxide is deposited on the device. Chemical mechanical polishing is performed to provide a planar surface on the thick oxide layer. An opening is formed through the thick layer of oxide above the first source/drain region, stopping at the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer is removed within the opening in the thick layer of oxide and the underlying thin oxide layer is etched. A capacitor electrode can then be formed in contact with the exposed portion of the first source/drain region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS FET is provided. An oxide layer and a polysilicon layer are successively formed on the semiconductor substrate. A pyramidical photoresist layer is used as a mask for forming a hat-shaped gate structure. A first ion implantation process is performed to form an LDD structure.

Abstract: A method of forming salicide, of which the characteristics is the formation of a silicon nitride layer before the source/drain being implanted with dopant. The silicon nitride layer avoid the oxygen within the oxide layer to implant into the source/drain. Thus, a better salicide is obtained. In addition, the formation of the parasitic spacers made of silicon nitride at the side wall bottom of the gate spacer increases the distance between the salicide and the junction. Consequently, the leakage current is prevented. While the silicon nitride layer is removed, the polysilicon of gate and the silicon of the source/drain are amorphized. This is advantageous to the formation of salicide without the step of ion implantation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device having both an array of logic circuits and an array of embedded DRAM circuits is provided using a process that avoids some of the most significant processing challenges for embedded DRAM integration. Transfer FETs and wiring lines are provided for the embedded DRAM circuits and FETs are provided for the logic portions of the device in an initial phase of the process. The gate electrodes and source/drain regions of the logic FETs are subjected to a salicide process at this initial phase and a thick planarized oxide layer is provided over both the embedded DRAM regions and the logic circuit regions. Capacitors and logic interconnects are next formed using common etching, titanium nitride deposition and tungsten deposition steps. Contact vias are formed to expose each of the source drain regions of the DRAM transfer FETs and to expose select conductors within the logic circuits.

Abstract: The capacitor of a DRAM cell is formed by depositing a layer of doped polysilicon, patterning the layer of doped polysilicon to define the extent of the capacitor's lower electrode and then depositing a first layer of hemispherical-grained silicon (HSG-Si) on the layer of doped polysilicon. Growth of the first layer of HSG-Si is interrupted and then a second layer of HSG-Si is grown. In one aspect, growth of the first layer of HSG-Si may be interrupted by either cooling the deposition substrate or stopping deposition for a period of time and then reinitiating deposition to provide a second layer of HSG-Si on the surface of the electrode. The interruption of the growth of the first layer, whether by cooling or by delay, is sufficient if the reinitiated growth initiates in a manner that is independent of the first process; i.e., the second layer of HSG-Si grows independently.