Abstract: A method for controlling the morphology of deposited silicon on a layer of silicon dioxide and semiconductor devices incorporating such deposited silicon are provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a layer of silicon dioxide; implanting hydrogen ions into the layer of silicon dioxide by plasma source ion implantation; and forming a layer of polycrystalline silicon on the layer of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for controlling the morphology of deposited silicon on a layer of silicon dioxide and semiconductor devices incorporating such deposited silicon are provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a layer of silicon dioxide; implanting hydrogen ions into the layer of silicon dioxide by plasma source ion implantation; and forming a layer of polycrystalline silicon on the layer of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming microelectronic structures in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively removing dielectric material to expose a portion of an oxide overlying a semiconductor substrate. Insulating material may be formed substantially conformably over the oxide and remaining portions of the dielectric material. Spacers may be formed from the insulating material. An isolation trench etch follows the spacer etch. An optional thermal oxidation of the surfaces in the isolation trench may be performed, which may optionally be followed by doping of the bottom of the isolation trench to further isolate neighboring active regions on either side of the isolation trench. A conformal material may be formed substantially conformably over the spacer, over the remaining portions of the dielectric material, and substantially filling the isolation trench. Planarization of the conformal material may follow.

Abstract: In etching trench isolation structures, a pad oxide or sacrificial oxide may be formed with substantially the same (or higher) etch rate as the trench filler. Because the etch rate in the trench area is substantially similar to (or less than) the etch rate in the non-trench area, similar amounts of material are removed in both the trench area and non-trench area in a subsequent etching process. Consequently, formation of notches and grooves in the semiconductor structure is minimized. A sacrificial oxide layer may be made by depositing a layer of a suitable material on the surface of a semiconductor structure. By depositing a sacrificial oxide layer instead of thermally growing a sacrificial oxide layer, grooves and the notches in the trench areas are filled by the deposited material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to removing an undesirable second oxide, while minimally affecting a desirable first oxide, on an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be part of a larger system. The second oxide is first converted to another material, such as oxynitride. The other material has differing characteristics, such as etching properties, so that it can then be removed, without substantially diminishing the first oxide. The conversion may be accomplished by heating. Heating may be accomplished by rapid thermal or furnace processing. Subsequently, the other material is removed from the integrated circuit, for example by hot phosphoric etching, so that the desirable first oxide is not substantially affected.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source.

Abstract: A structure includes an etch stop layer and a cap layer. The etch stop layer is situated over a first oxide isolation region and a second oxide isolation region in a wafer. A window is situated in the cap layer and the etch stop layer. The window exposes a surface of the wafer situated between the first oxide isolation region and the second oxide isolation region. The surface is cleaned for epitaxially growing a semiconductor. The etch stop layer can comprise, for example, silicon. The cap layer can comprise, for example, silicon nitride, amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. According to one embodiment, the structure can further comprise an epitaxially grown silicon-germanium structure on the surface. According to one embodiment, the surface includes a single crystal silicon collector and a base grown on the single crystal silicon collector, where the base is an epitaxially grown silicon-germanium structure.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to removing an undesirable second oxide, while minimally affecting a desirable first oxide, on an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be part of a larger system.

Abstract: According to a disclosed embodiment, the surface of a semiconductor wafer is covered by an etch stop layer. For example, the etch stop layer can be composed of silicon dioxide. A cap layer is then fabricated over the etch stop layer. For example, the cap layer can be a polycrystalline silicon layer fabricated over the etch stop layer. The cap layer is then selectively etched down to the etch stop layer creating an opening in the cap layer according to a pattern. The pattern can be formed, for example, by covering the cap layer with photoresist and selective etching. Selective etching can be accomplished by using a dry etch process which etches the cap layer without substantially etching the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer is then removed using, for example, a hydrogen-fluoride cleaning process. A semiconductor crystal is then grown by epitaxial deposition in the opening. For example, the semiconductor crystal can be silicon-germanium. Moreover, a single crystal semiconductor structure of high quality, i.

Abstract: According to a disclosed embodiment, the surface of a semiconductor wafer is covered by an etch stop layer. For example, the etch stop layer can be composed of silicon dioxide. A cap layer is then fabricated over the etch stop layer. For example, the cap layer can be a polycrystalline silicon layer fabricated over the etch stop layer. The cap layer is then selectively etched down to the etch stop layer creating an opening in the cap layer according to a pattern. The pattern can be formed, for example, by covering the cap layer with photoresist and selective etching. Selective etching can be accomplished by using a dry etch process which etches the cap layer without substantially etching the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer is then removed using, for example, a hydrogen-fluoride cleaning process. A semiconductor crystal is then grown by epitaxial deposition in the opening. For example, the semiconductor crystal can be silicon-germanium. Moreover, a single crystal semiconductor structure of high quality, i.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a hermetically-sealable chamber which can be pressurized or evacuated. The articles, which may be semiconductor wafers, are positioned on the rotating structure such that the surface to be reflowed faces both the heat source and the structure's rotational axis. In the case of circular semiconductor wafers, the wafers are positioned such that the planar surface of each wafer is centered on and perpendicular to a radius of the cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a hermetically-sealable chamber which can be pressurized or evacuated. The articles, which may be semiconductor wafers, are positioned on the rotating structure such that the surface to be reflowed faces both the heat source and the structure's rotational axis. In the case of circular semiconductor wafers, the wafers are positioned such that the planar surface of each wafer is centered on and perpendicular to a radius of the cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a semiconductor processing method of removing water from a material comprising silicon, oxygen and hydrogen, the method comprising maintaining the material at a temperature of at least about 100° C., more preferably at least 300° C., and at a pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere to drive water from the material. In another aspect, the invention includes a semiconductor processing method of forming SiO2 having a wet etch removal rate of less than about 700 Angstroms/minute comprising: a) forming a layer comprising Si(OH)x; b) maintaining the Si(OH)x at a temperature of at least about 300° C. and at a pressure of greater than 1 atmosphere to drive water from the Si(OH)x; and c) converting the Si(OH)x to SiO2, the SiO2 having a wet etch removal rate of less than about 700 Angstroms/minute under the conditions of a buffered oxide etch utilizing 20:1 H2O:HF, at about atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of about 30° C.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a hermetically-sealable chamber which can be pressurized or evacuated. The articles, which may be semiconductor wafers, are positioned on the rotating structure such that the surface to be reflowed faces both the heat source and the structure's rotational axis. In the case of circular semiconductor wafers, the wafers are positioned such that the planar surface of each wafer is centered on and perpendicular to a radius of the cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: Field oxide is formed using high pressure. Oxidation of field regions between active regions is accomplished in a two-step process. A first oxide layer is formed in the field region. Then, a second oxide layer is formed on the first oxide layer. The second oxide layer is formed at a pressure of at least approximately 5 atmospheres. In one embodiment, the first oxide layer is formed at atmospheric pressure using a conventional oxidation technique, such as rapid thermal oxidation (RTO), wet oxidation, or dry oxidation. In another embodiment, the first oxide layer is formed, at a pressure of approximately 1 to 5 atmospheres. Wet or dry oxidation is used for the oxidizing ambient. The first oxide layer is formed to a thickness of approximately 500 angstroms or less, and typically greater than 200 angstroms. Temperatures of approximately 600 to 1,100 degrees Celsius are used for the oxidation steps.

Abstract: In etching trench isolation structures, a pad oxide or sacrificial oxide may be formed with substantially the same (or higher) etch rate as the trench filler. Because the etch rate in the trench area is substantially similar to (or less than) the etch rate in the non-trench area, similar amounts of material are removed in both the trench area and non-trench area in a subsequent etching process. Consequently, formation of notches and grooves in the semiconductor structure is minimized. A sacrificial oxide layer may be made depositing a layer of a suitable material on the surface of a semiconductor structure. By depositing sacrificial oxide layer instead of thermally growing a sacrificial oxide layer, grooves and the notches in the trench areas are filled by the deposited material.

Abstract: A thermal reflow processing system has a rotatable structure to which articles having a reflowable surface are attached. The structure is coupled to a drive motor which causes the structure to rotate at speeds which generate centripetal forces in excess of that of gravity. The system is equipped with at least one radiant heat source. As the articles are being subjected to a centripetal force, the surface is heated by the radiant heat source. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a hermetically-sealable chamber which can be pressurized or evacuated. The articles, which may be semiconductor wafers, are positioned on the rotating structure such that the surface to be reflowed faces both the heat source and the structure's rotational axis. In the case of circular semiconductor wafers, the wafers are positioned such that the planar surface of each wafer is centered on and perpendicular to a radius of the cylindrical chamber.