Abstract: MIMCAP semiconductor devices and methods for fabrication MIMCAP semiconductor devices that include a grown capacitor dielectric are provided. Exemplary MIMCAP semiconductor devices can include a bottom electrode, a grown capacitor dielectric on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode on the capacitor dielectric. The grown layer can have a k-value greater than 1 and can be formed of, for example, an oxide or nitride that is chemically or thermally grown from the bottom electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for making and there is an integrated circuit comprising a semiconductor substrate comprising device elements and a metallization layer interconnecting the device elements and having an uppermost layer. The integrated circuit can also include a protective overcoat formed over the metallization layer, the protective overcoat having a plurality of patterned regions that expose portions of the metallization layer, a first conductive layer formed on the protective overcoat, and a dielectric layer formed over the first conductive layer. The integrated circuit can further include a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer and a plurality of sidewall spacers contacting end portions of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: The formation of a MIM (metal insulator metal) capacitor (164) and concurrent formation of a resistor (166) is disclosed. A copper diffusion barrier (124) is formed over a copper deposition (110) that serves as a bottom electrode (170) of the capacitor (164). The copper diffusion barrier (124) mitigates unwanted diffusion of copper from the copper deposition (110), and is formed via electro-less deposition such that little to none of the barrier material is deposited at locations other than over a top surface (125) of the deposition of copper/bottom electrode. Subsequently, layers of dielectric (150) and conductive (152) materials are applied to form a dielectric (172) and top electrode (174) of the MIM capacitor (164), respectively, where the layer of conductive top electrode material (152) also functions to concurrently develop the resistor (166) on the same chip as the capacitor (164).

Abstract: A method (10) of forming a MIM (metal insulator metal) capacitor is disclosed whereby adverse affects associated with copper diffusion are mitigated even as the capacitor is scaled down. A layer of bottom electrode/copper diffusion barrier material (136) is formed (16) within an aperture (128) wherein the capacitor (100) is to be defined. The bottom electrode layer (136) is formed via a directional process so that a horizontal aspect (138) of the layer (136) is formed over a metal (110) at a bottom of the aperture (128) to a thickness (142) that is greater than a thickness (144) of a sidewall aspect (148) of the layer (136) formed upon sidewalls (132) of the aperture (128). Accordingly, the thinner sidewall aspects (148) are removed during an etching act (18) while some of the thicker horizontal aspect (138) remains. A layer of capacitor dielectric material (150) is then conformally formed (20) into the aperture 128 and over the horizontal aspect (138).

Abstract: A method (10) of forming a MIM (metal insulator metal) capacitor is disclosed whereby adverse affects associated with copper diffusion are mitigated even as the capacitor is scaled down. A sidewall spacer (156) is formed against an edge (137) of a layer of bottom electrode/copper diffusion barrier material (136), an edge (151) of a layer of capacitor dielectric material (150) and at least some of an edge (153) of a layer of top electrode material. The sidewall spacer (156) is dielectric or non-conductive and mitigates “shorting” currents that can develop between the plates as a result of copper diffusion. Bottom electrode diffusion barrier material (136) mitigates copper diffusion and/or copper drift, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature device failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of selecting a unique combination of materials and dimensions for fabrication of a micro-electromechanical switch for improved RF switch performance. An electrode material is selected which exhibits a resistivity resulting in improved insertion loss for a predetermined switching speed, a dielectric material is selected which exhibits a permittivity resulting in improved isolation, and an airgap thickness is selected resulting in a pull-down voltage approximately equal to a supply voltage of the micro-electromechanical switch in which the isolation and predetermined switching speed are also functions of the airgap thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of selecting a unique combination of materials and dimensions for fabrication of a micro-electromechanical switch for improved RF switch performance. An electrode material is selected which exhibits a resistivity resulting in improved insertion loss for a predetermined switching speed, a dielectric material is selected which exhibits a permittivity resulting in improved isolation, and an airgap thickness is selected resulting in a pull-down voltage approximately equal to a supply voltage of the micro-electromechanical switch in which the isolation and predetermined switching speed are also functions of the airgap thickness.

Abstract: The capacitor (12) comprises a HDC dielectric (40) and upper (44) and lower (32-36) electrodes. The lower electrode comprises a polysilicon base (32), a diffusion barrier (34) on the sidewalls of the polysilicon base (32) and an oxygen stable material (36) on the sidewalls adjacent the diffusion barrier (34) and separated from the polysilicon base (32) sidewalls by the diffusion barrier (34). The oxygen stable material (36) is formed on the sidewalls by a deposition and either etchback or CMP process rather than by a patterned etch. The HDC dielectric (40) is then formed adjacent the oxygen stable material (36).

Abstract: A capacitor structure and method. The capacitor (12) comprises a HDC dielectric (40) and upper (44) and lower electrodes. The lower electrode comprises a capacitor via (19), diffusion barrier (34) and an oxygen stable material (36). The diffusion barrier (34) is formed over the capacitor via (19) and bitline via (17). The bitline structure (20) is then formed. Next, a multi-level dielectric (80,84) is formed and storage node areas (70)are etched through the multi-level dielectric leaving dielectric sidewalls (66) on the bitline structure (20). The oxygen stable material (36) is then formed in the storage node area (70). Portions of the multi-level dielectric layer (84) over the bitline structure (20) are removed. The HDC dielectric (40) is then formed adjacent the oxygen stable material (36).

Abstract: A capacitor structure and method. The capacitor (12) comprises a HDC dielectric (40) and upper (44) and lower electrodes. The lower electrode comprises polysilicon(31-32), a diffusion barrier (34) on the polysilicon and an oxygen stable material (36) on the diffusion barrier (34). The oxygen stable material (36) is formed by first forming a disposable dielectric layer (50) patterned and etched to expose the area where the storage node is desired and then depositing the oxygen stable material (36). The oxygen stable material (36) is then either etched back or CMP processed using the disposable dielectric layer (50) as an endpoint. The disposable dielectric layer (50) is then removed. The HDC dielectric (40) is then formed adjacent the oxygen stable material (36).

Abstract: A capacitor structure and method. The capacitor (12) comprises a HDC dielectric (40) and upper (44) and lower electrodes. The lower electrode comprises polysilicon(31-32), a diffusion barrier (34) on the polysilicon and an oxygen stable material (36) on the diffusion barrier (34). The diffusion barrier (34) is deposited followed by the deposition of a temporary dielectric layer (50). The temporary dielectric layer (50) is then patterned and etched to expose the area where the storage node is desired. Next, the oxygen stable material (36) is deposited. The oxygen stable material (36) is then either etched back or CMP processed using the temporary dielectric layer (50) as an endpoint. The temporary dielectric layer (50) is then removed along with the exposed portions of diffusion barrier (34). The HDC dielectric (40) is then formed adjacent the oxygen stable material (36).