Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) a tantalum oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and a tantalum precursor compound that includes alkoxide ligands, for example.

Abstract: This invention includes methods of forming a phosphorus doped silicon dioxide comprising layers, and methods of forming trench isolation in the fabrication of integrated circuitry. In one implementation, a method of forming a phosphorus doped silicon dioxide comprising layer includes positioning a substrate within a deposition chamber. First and second vapor phase reactants are introduced in alternate and temporally separated pulses to the substrate within the chamber in a plurality of deposition cycles under conditions effective to deposit a phosphorus doped silicon dioxide comprising layer on the substrate. One of the first and second vapor phase reactants is PO(OR)3 where R is hydrocarbyl, and an other of the first and second vapor phase reactants is Si(OR)3OH where R is hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to support structures such as spacers used to provide a uniform distance between two layers of a device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the spacers may be formed utilizing flow-fill deposition of a wet film in the form of a precursor such as silicon dioxide. Formation of spacers in this manner provides a homogenous amorphous support structure that may be used to provide necessary spacing between layers of a device such as a flat panel display.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal-doped aluminum oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer, preferably a dielectric layer, on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and ozone with one or more metal organo-amine precursor compounds.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to support structures such as spacers used to provide a uniform distance between two layers of a device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the spacers may be formed utilizing flow-fill deposition of a wet film in the form of a precursor such as silicon dioxide. Formation of spacers in this manner provides a homogenous amorphous support structure that may be used to provide necessary spacing between layers of a device such as a flat panel display.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include diketonate ligands and/or ketoimine ligands.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal-doped aluminum oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer, preferably a dielectric layer, on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and ozone with one or more metal organo-amine precursor compounds.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include aminosilane ligands.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include diketonate ligands and/or ketoimine ligands.

Abstract: A method for use in the fabrication of integrated circuits includes providing a substrate assembly having a surface. A diffusion barrier layer is formed over at least a portion of the surface. The diffusion barrier layer is formed of RuSix, where x is in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The barrier layer may be formed by depositing RuSix by chemical vapor deposition or the barrier layer may be formed by forming a layer of ruthenium relative to a silicon containing region and performing an anneal to form RuSix from the layer of ruthenium and the silicon containing region. Capacitor electrodes, interconnects or other structures may be formed with such a diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include diketonate ligands and/or ketoimine ligands.

Abstract: A device structure including a substrate assembly having a surface. A diffusion barrier layer is formed over at least a portion of the surface. The diffusion barrier layer is formed of RuSix, where x is in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. Capacitor electrodes, interconnects or other structures may be formed with such a diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) refractory metal nitride layers (including silicon nitride layers), such as a tantalum (silicon) nitride barrier layer, on a substrate by using a vapor deposition process with a refractory metal precursor compound, a disilazane, and an optional silicon precursor compound.

Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer, preferably a dielectric layer, on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and ozone with one or more metal organo-amine precursor compounds.

Abstract: A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) refractory metal nitride layers (including silicon nitride layers), such as a tantalum nitride barrier layer, on a substrate by using an atomic layer deposition process (a vapor deposition process that includes a plurality of deposition cycles) with a refractory metal precursor compound, an organic amine, and an optional silicon precursor compound.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal-doped aluminum oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing conductive material from a microelectronic substrate is disclosed. One method includes disposing an electrolytic liquid between a conductive material of a substrate and at least one electrode, with the electrolytic liquid having about 80% water or less. The substrate can be contacted with a polishing pad material, and the conductive material can be electrically coupled to a source of varying electrical signals via the electrolytic liquid and the electrode. The method can further include applying a varying electrical signal to the conductive material, moving at least one of the polishing pad material and the substrate relative to the other, and removing at least a portion of the conductive material while the electrolytic liquid is adjacent to the conductive material. By limiting/controlling the amount of water in the electrolytic liquid, an embodiment of the method can remove the conductive material with a reduced downforce.

Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include aminosilane ligands.