Abstract: A thin buffer layer of SiON is formed on the top surface of the floating gate, in order to protect the polysilicon surface from attack by atomic chlorine produced during the formation of the high temperature oxide of the ONO stack. The buffer layer can also be formed on other dielectric surfaces which are otherwise subject to adverse conditions in subsequent processing, such as the nitride layer in the ONO dielectric stack.

Abstract: A method and structure to form shallow trench isolation regions without trench oxide grooving is provided. In particular, a method includes a two-step oxide process in which an oxide liner lines the inside surface of a trench and the trench is filled with a bulk oxide layer, preferably using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process. The oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer are formed to have similar etch rates. Thus, when etching the oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer between stack structures, a common dielectric top surface is formed that is substantially planar and without grooves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing the concentration of chlorine and/or other bound contaminants within a semiconductor oxide composition that is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a semiconductor-element-providing reactant such as dichlorosilane (DCS) and an oxygen-providing reactant such as N2O. In one embodiment, a DCS-HTO film is annealed by heating N2O gas to a temperature in the range of about 825° C. to about 950° C. so as to trigger exothermic decomposition of the N2O gas and flowing the heated gas across the DCS-HTO film so that disassociated atomic oxygen radicals within the heated N2O gas can transfer disassociating energy to chlorine atoms bound within the DCS-HTO film and so that the atomic oxygen radicals can fill oxygen vacancies within the semiconductor-oxide matrix of DCS-HTO film. An improved ONO structure may be formed with the annealed DCS-HTO film for use in floating gate or other memory applications.

Abstract: The floating gate, or the oxide between the floating and control gates, or both are nitrided before the control gate layer is deposited.

Abstract: A method and structure to form shallow trench isolation regions without trench oxide grooving is provided. In particular, a method includes a two-step oxide process in which an oxide liner lines the inside surface of a trench and the trench is filled with a bulk oxide layer, preferably using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process. The oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer are formed to have similar etch rates. Thus, when etching the oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer between stack structures, a common dielectric top surface is formed that is substantially planar and without grooves.

Abstract: A method and structure to form shallow trench isolation regions without trench oxide grooving is provided. In particular, a method includes a two-step oxide process in which an oxide liner lines the inside surface of a trench and the trench is filled with a bulk oxide layer, preferably using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process. The oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer are formed to have similar etch rates. Thus, when etching the oxide liner and the bulk oxide layer between stack structures, a common dielectric top surface is formed that is substantially planar and without grooves.

Abstract: A thin buffer layer of SiON is formed on the top surface of the floating gate, in order to protect the polysilicon surface from attack by atomic chlorine produced during the formation of the high temperature oxide of the ONO stack. The buffer layer can also be formed on other dielectric surfaces which are otherwise subject to adverse conditions in subsequent processing, such as the nitride layer in the ONO dielectric stack.

Abstract: A thin buffer layer of SiON is formed on the top surface of the floating gate, in order to protect the polysilicon surface from attack by atomic chlorine produced during the formation of the high temperature oxide of the ONO stack. The buffer layer can also be formed on other dielectric surfaces which are otherwise subject to adverse conditions in subsequent processing, such as the nitride layer in the ONO dielectric stack.

Abstract: The floating gate, or the oxide between the floating and control gates, or both are nitrided before the control gate layer is deposited.

Abstract: The floating gate, or the oxide between the floating and control gates, or both are nitrided before the control gate layer is deposited.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process is used to deposit silicon dioxide in trenches of various widths. The thickness of the silicon dioxide filling both narrow and wide trenches is made more uniform by reducing an HDP-CVD etch to deposition ratio. The lowered etch to deposition ratio is achieved by lowering a ratio of oxygen to silane gas, by lowering the power of a high frequency bias signal, and by lowering the total gas flow rate.

Abstract: A method for forming within an integrated circuit a low impurity diffusion polysilicon layer. Formed upon a semiconductor substrate is an amorphous silicon layer. Formed also upon the semiconductor substrate and contacting the amorphous silicon layer is a polysilicon layer. The amorphous silicon layer and the polysilicon layer are then simultaneously annealed to form a low impurity diffusion polysilicon layer. The low impurity diffusion polysilicon layer is a polysilicon multi-layer with grain boundary mis-matched polycrystalline properties. Optionally, a metal silicide layer may be formed upon the amorphous silicon layer and the polysilicon layer either prior to or subsequent to annealing the amorphous silicon layer and the polysilicon layer. The metal silicide layer and low impurity diffusion polysilicon layer may then be patterned to form a polycide gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for selectively depositing WSi.sub.x is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein WSi.sub.x is to be deposited overlying a first portion of the substrate and wherein WSi.sub.x is not to be deposited overlying a second portion of the substrate. A layer of organic material is provided over the surface of the substrate overlying the second portion of the substrate. A layer of WSi.sub.x is deposited over the surface of the substrate wherein the WSi.sub.x is deposited overlying the first portion of the substrate and wherein the presence of the organic material layer prevents the WSi.sub.x from depositing overlying the second portion of the substrate completing the selective WSi.sub.x deposition in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device.