Abstract: Methods of protecting, and increasing the thickness of, the oxidized silicon nitride (ON), component of an oxidized silicon nitride on silicon oxide (ONO), layer of a non-volatile memory device, during the hydrofluoric (HF), acid type procedures used for peripheral devices simultaneously fabricated with the non-volatile memory device, has been developed. A first method features a silicon nitride layer located only overlying the ONO layer of the non-volatile memory device, formed prior to HF type pre-clean procedures performed prior to gate oxidation procedures used for peripheral devices. After the gate oxidation procedures the silicon nitride capping layer is selectively removed. A second method features a polysilicon capping layer again located only overlying the ONO layer of the non-volatile memory device, again formed prior to HF type pre-clean procedures.

Abstract: There is a need for adjustable capacitors for use in LC or RC matching networks in micro-circuits. This has been achieved by forming a set of individual capacitors that share a common bottom electrode. The areas of the top electrodes of these individual capacitors are chosen to be in an integral ratio to one another so that they can be combined to produce any capacitance within a range of unit values. For example, if four capacitors whose areas are in the ratio of 5:2:1:1, are provided, then any capacitance in a range of from 1 to 9 can be generated, depending on how the top electrodes are connected. Such connections can be hard-wired within the final wiring level to provide a factory adjustable capacitor or they can be connected through field programmable devices to produce a field programmable capacitor. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.

Abstract: A damascene structure with reduced capacitance dielectric stacking comprise a passivation, a first dielectric, an etch stop, a second dielectric and a cap layer over a first conductive layer formed on a semiconductor. The passivation, the etch stop, and the cap layers comprise low dielectric constant materials carbon nitride, boron nitride, or boron carbon nitride. The stack is patterned to form a via opening to the first conductive layer. A trench opening is formed stopping on the etch stop layer. A barrier layer of TaN, WN, TaSiN or Ta and a second conductive material is applied to the openings. Passivation, etch stop, or cap layers can be formed with carbon nitride by magnetron sputtering from a graphite target in a nitrogen atmosphere; boron carbon nitride by magnetron sputtering from a graphite target in a nitrogen and B2H6 atmosphere; or boron nitride by PECVD using B2H6, ammonia, and nitrogen.

Abstract: A fast low voltage ballistic program, ultra-short channel, ultra-high density, dual-bit multi-level flash memory is described. The structure and operation of this invention is enabled by a twin MONOS cell structure having an ultra-short control gate channel of less than 40 nm, with ballistic injection which provides high electron injection efficiency and very fast program at low program voltages of 3˜5V. The ballistic MONOS memory cell is arranged in the following array: each memory cell contains two nitride regions for one word gate, and ½ a source diffusion and ½ a bit diffusion. Control gates can be defined separately or shared together over the same diffusion. Diffusions are shared between cells and run in parallel to the side wall control gates, and perpendicular to the word line.

Abstract: Method and product for forming a dual damascene interconnect structure, wherein depositing a copper sulfide interface layer as sidewalls to the opening deters migration or diffusing of copper ions into the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for forming shallow trench isolation (STI) with a higher aspect ratio is given. This method allows the formation of narrower and deeper trench isolation regions while avoiding substrate damage due to excessive etching and severe microloading effects. In addition, it yields uniform depth trenches while avoiding problems of etch residue at the bottom of the trench. This method is achieved by using a process where a trench is etched, and an oxide layer grown along the bottom and sidewalls of the trench. Oxygen or field isolation ions are then implanted into the bottom of the trench. A nitride spacer is then formed along the bottom and sidewalls of the trench, followed by an isotropic etch removing the nitride and oxide from the bottom of the trench. An oxide deposition then fills the trench, followed by a planarization step completing the isolation structure.

Abstract: Methods for forming dual-metal gate CMOS transistors are described. An NMOS and a PMOS active area of a semiconductor substrate are separated by isolation regions. A metal layer is deposited over a gate dielectric layer in each active area. Oxygen ions are implanted into the metal layer in one active area to form an implanted metal layer which is oxidized to form a metal oxide layer. Thereafter, the metal layer and the metal oxide layer are patterned to form a metal gate in one active area and a metal oxide gate in the other active area wherein the active area having the gate with the higher work function is the PMOS active area. Alternatively, both gates may be metal oxide gates wherein the oxide concentrations of the two gates differ. Alternatively, a dummy gate may be formed in each of the active areas and covered with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is planarized thereby exposing the dummy gates. The dummy gates are removed leaving gate openings to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the creation of STI regions. STI trenches are created in the surface of a substrate following conventional processing. A layer of STI oxide is deposited and, using an exposure mask that is a reverse mask of the mask that is used to create the STI pattern, impurity implants are performed into the surface of the deposited layer of STI oxide. In view of these processing conditions, the layer of STI oxide overlying the patterned layer of etch stop material is exposed to the impurity implants. This exposure alters the etch characteristics of the deposited layer of STI oxide where this STI oxide overlies the patterned layer of etch stop material. The etch rate of the impurity exposed STI oxide is increased by the impurity implantation, resulting in an etch overlying the patterned etch stop layer that proceeds considerably faster than the etch of the STI oxide that is deposited overlying the created STI trenches.

Abstract: A process for forming a planarized metal layer by forming the plug and overlying metal interconnect simultaneously in order to maintain a uniform gap between the passivation layer of a bottom substrate and the top substrate of a LCD integrated circuit device is described. Semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the semiconductor device structures are covered by an insulating layer. A trench is patterned into the insulating layer and a via opening is made within the trench through the insulating layer to one of the underlying semiconductor device structures. A metal layer is deposited overlying the insulating layer and within the trench and via opening. The metal layer overlying insulating layer is polished away leaving the metal layer within the trench to form a metal pixel and within the via opening to form an interconnect between the metal pixel and the underlying semiconductor device wherein the top surface of the substrate is planarized.

Abstract: A method for forming, on a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer having a variable thickness and composition. The dielectric layer so formed can be used to form electronic devices such as MOSFETS and CMOSFETS that require gate dielectrics of different thicknesses. On a silicon substrate in accord with the preferred embodiment, the method requires the formation of three regions, two with SiO2 layers of different thicknesses and a third region of substrate with no oxide. A final thin layer of high-k dielectric is formed covering the three regions, so that the region with no oxide has the thinnest dielectric layer of only high-k material and the other two regions have the high-k dielectric over SiO2 layers of different thickness. A final layer of gate electrode material can be formed and patterned to form the required device structure.

Abstract: A method for integrating the zero-etch and STI-etch processes into one process is described. An etch stop layer is deposited on a substrate. A mask is formed overlying the etch stop layer having a first opening for a planned alignment mark and having a second opening for a planned shallow trench isolation region. The etch stop layer is etched away within the first and second openings and the semiconductor substrate exposed within the first and second openings is etched into a first depth to form a first trench underlying the first opening and a second trench underlying the second opening. The first trench is covered and the second trench is etched into the semiconductor substrate to a second depth greater than the first depth. The second trench is filled to complete formation of a shallow trench isolation region wherein the first trench completes formation of an alignment mark in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device.

Abstract: A silicon condenser microphone is described. The silicon condenser microphone of the present invention comprises a perforated backplate comprising a portion of a single crystal silicon substrate, a support structure formed on the single crystal silicon substrate, and a floating silicon diaphragm supported at its edge by the support structure and lying parallel to the perforated backplate and separated from the perforated backplate by an air gap.

Abstract: Described is a device and method using an interactive process to improve the listening experience for a user of headphones or hearing aids. The system uses a sound source such as a PC or similar device. Programming of the headphone or hearing aid is accomplished using a process delivered by the sound source. The user is prompted to listen to various signals thereby testing the frequency response of each ear and headphone combination. Once the user testing is completed, individualized compensation coefficients are created to optimize the listening experience for the user. The coefficients would be downloaded to and stored within the hearing aids. Downloading could accomplished by wire or by wireless means such as infrared, radio frequency, magnetic or electromagnetic coupling. In headphone units, the compensation factors could be stored either within the headphones or maintained at the sound source.

Abstract: A method of coating a low dielectric constant material layer wherein the wafer surface is pre-wetted using a solvent to prevent or reduce coating defects is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided wherein a top surface of the semiconductor substrate may have surface defects. A solvent is coated overlying the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. A low dielectric constant material layer is coated overlying the solvent wherein the solvent covers the surface defects thereby preventing defects in the low dielectric constant material layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a single gate having a dual work-function is described. A gate electrode is formed overlying a gate dielectric layer on a substrate. Sidewalls of the gate electrode are selectively doped whereby the doped sidewalls have a first work-function and whereby a central portion of the gate electrode not doped has a second work-function to complete formation of a single gate having multiple work-functions in the fabrication of integrated circuits.

Abstract: A new method of forming shallow trench isolations using a reverse mask process is described. A polish stop layer is deposited on the surface of a substrate. An etch stop layer is deposited overlying the polish stop layer. A plurality of isolation trenches is etched through the etch stop layer and the polish stop layer into the substrate whereby narrow active areas and wide active areas of the substrate are left between the isolation trenches. An oxide layer is deposited over the etch stop layer and within the isolation trenches. The oxide layer is covered with a mask in the narrow active areas and in the isolation trenches and etched away in the wide active areas stopping at the etch stop layer. Thereafter, the mask is removed and the etch stop layer is polished away to the polish stop layer whereby the oxide layer in the isolation trenches is planarized.

Abstract: An improved chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for planarizing semiconductor surface materials. The single rotating polishing platen with an attached pad of conventional CMP processes is replaced with two controlled independently driven, concentric and coplanar, polishing platens. The two co-planar polishing platens allows for separate adjustable options to the CMP polishing process. The options are provided by having pads of different material compositions and hardness. Moreover, an annular space is provided between the platens to introduce the usage of two slurry formulations, one to each pad, on the same CMP tool. The annular space between platens forming a drain path for catching and containing slurry waste.

Abstract: A novel method to remove residual toxic gases trapped by a polymerizing process by an inert ion sputter is described. A masking layer is formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. An opening is etched through the masking layer into the semiconductor substrate whereby a polymer forms on sidewalls of the opening and whereby residual toxic gas reactants from gases used in the etching step are adsorbed by the polymer. Thereafter, the polymer is sputtered with non-reactive ions whereby the residual toxic gas reactants are desorbed from the polymer to complete removal of residual toxic gas reactants in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device.

Abstract: A new process for repairing an attenuated phase-shifting photomask is described. A contact hole pattern is provided on an attenuating phase-shifting photomask. An aerial image is obtained of the contact hole pattern. The critical dimension of the contact hole pattern is predicted from the intensity of the aerial image. Thereafter, the critical dimension is adjusted by forming non-printable optical proximity or scattering bar correction patterns around abnormal defects in the contact hole pattern on the attenuated phase-shifting photomask. The non-printable correction patterns enhance or cancel light intensity to correct the adnormal defects.

Abstract: An EUV photolithographic mask device and a method of fabricating the same. The EUV photolithographic mask comprises a multi-layer over an EUV masking substrate and a patterned light absorbing layer formed on the multi-layer. The method comprises the steps of forming a multi-layer on an EUV mask substrate, forming a light absorbing layer on the multi-layer, and etching an opening through the light absorbing layer to the multi-layer. The light absorbing layer includes a metal selected from the group comprising nickel, chromium, cobalt, and alloys thereof, and is preferably nickel.