Abstract: Spacings between metal features are gap filled with HSQ. Portions of the deposited HSQ adjoining the side surfaces and upper surface of a metal feature are selectively heated to increase the density and etch resistance of the adjoining HSQ portions, thereby enabling formation of reliable, voidless, low resistance, borderless vias. In an embodiment of the present invention, selective heating is effected by heating a metal line to indirectly heat the adjoining portions of the HSQ layer, as by infrared heating.

Abstract: Capacitors are formed in the trenches made in an interlayer insulator made of silicon oxide. An insulating film (e.g., a silicon nitride film) is provided on the sides of each trench of the interlayer insulator. A storage electrode made of ruthenium or the like is provided in each trench of the interlayer insulator. A capacitor insulating film made of BSTO or the like is formed on the storage electrode. A plate electrode made of ruthenium or the like is formed on the capacitor insulating film. The plate electrode is common to all capacitors provided. Any two adjacent capacitors are electrically isolated by the interlayer insulator and the insulating film provided on the sides of the trenches of the interlayer insulator.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a ROM cell surface implant region using a PLDD implant. A semiconductor structure is provided comprising a substrate having isolation structures thereon, which separate and electrically isolating a first area having a P-well formed in the substrate and a gate over the substrate, a second area having a N-well formed in the substrate and a gate over the substrate, and a third area having P-well and buried N+ regions formed in the substrate with second isolation structures overlying the buried N+ regions. A photoresist mask is formed exposing the first area, and impurity ions are implanted to form n-type lightly doped source and drain regions. The photoresist mask is removed and a new (PLDD/ROM) photoresist mask is formed exposing the second area and the third area. Impurity ions are implanted to simultaneously form p-type lightly doped source and drain regions and a ROM cell surface implant region region. The PLDD/ROM photoresist mask is then removed.

Abstract: When more than one bit of data are being stored in each memory cell of a flash EEPROM, more than two ranges (states) of some parameter such as cell current are defined. Since all such ranges must be fit into an available total range that is finite, an increased number of individual ranges results in the extent of each range being made smaller. Writing into and reading from these narrower ranges must then be more accurate and reproducible. One factor that limits such accuracy and reproducibility is an increased growth during manufacture of the floating gate oxide along edges exposed from under the floating gates. This undesired increase floating gate oxide thickness is at least significantly inhibited by forming a dielectric oxygen barrier along the floating gates to shield the gate oxide layers under them from the effects of subsequent oxidation steps performed in the course of manufacturing the integrated circuit.