Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor includes forming a substrate having a node location to which electrical connection to a capacitor is to be made; forming an inner capacitor plate over the node location, the inner capacitor plate having an exposed sidewall; forming an oxidation barrier layer over the exposed inner capacitor plate sidewall; forming a capacitor dielectric plate over the inner capacitor plate, the oxidation barrier layer restricting oxidation of the inner capacitor plate sidewall during formation of the capacitor dielectric plate; and forming an outer capacitor plate over the capacitor dielectric plate. A capacitor is further described which includes an inner capacitor plate having at least one sidewall; an oxidation barrier layer positioned in covering relation relative to the at least one sidewall; a capacitor dielectric plate positioned over the inner capacitor plate; and an outer capacitor plate positioned over the capacitor dielectric plate.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure by redepositing a starting material on sidewalls of a foundation during an etch of the starting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for precision etching of films on in-process integrated circuit wafers. The method is particularly useful for etching films comprising noble metals and is advantageous for use in constructing capacitor electrodes. The method comprises depositing a titanium nitride hard mask over the film to be etched, and thereafter patterning the titanium nitride hard mask with an etchant which is selective to titanium nitride and unselective to the underlying film. The film is then etched using either ion beam milling or reactive ion etching with oxygen as an etching agent. Both etches are highly selective to titanium nitride such that the titanium nitride hard mask can be very thin compared to the film. The presence of the titanium nitride hard mask reduces redeposition problems. Critical dimension control and substantially vertical sidewalls also result from the use of the titanium nitride hard mask.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor includes forming a substrate having a node location to which electrical connection to a capacitor is to be made; forming an inner capacitor plate over the node location, the inner capacitor plate having an exposed sidewall; forming an oxidation barrier layer over the exposed inner capacitor plate sidewall; forming a capacitor dielectric plate over the inner capacitor plate, the oxidation barrier layer restricting oxidation of the inner capacitor plate sidewall during formation of the capacitor dielectric plate; and forming an outer capacitor plate over the capacitor dielectric plate. A capacitor is further described which includes an inner capacitor plate having at least one sidewall; an oxidation barrier layer positioned in covering relation relative to the at least one sidewall; a capacitor dielectric plate positioned over the inner capacitor plate; and an outer capacitor plate positioned over the capacitor dielectric plate.

Abstract: A capacitor is described which includes an inner capacitor plate having at least one sidewall; an oxidation barrier layer positioned in covering relation relative to the at least one sidewall; a capacitor dielectric plate positioned over the inner capacitor plate; and an outer capacitor plate positioned over the capacitor dielectric plate. In the preferred form of the invention, an insulating dielectric layer is positioned on the oxidation barrier layer, the insulating dielectric layer being of a different composition than the oxidation barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure by redepositing a starting material on sidewalls of a foundation during an etch of the starting material.