Abstract: A method and structure for an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for a semiconductor device. The STI structure incorporates an oxynitride top layer of the STI fill. Optionally, the STI structure incorporates an oxynitride margin of the STI fill adjacent the silicon trench walls. A region of the oxynitride margin near the upper edges of the silicon trench walls includes oxynitride corners that are relatively thicker and contain a higher concentration of nitrogen as compared to the other regions of the oxynitride margin. The oxynitride features limit the STI fill height loss and also reduce the formation of divots in the STI fill below the level of the silicon substrate cause by hydrofluoric acid etching and other fabrication processes. Limiting STI fill height loss and the formation of divots improves the functions of the STI structure.

Abstract: A method and structure for an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for a semiconductor device. The STI structure incorporates an oxynitride top layer of the STI fill. Optionally, the STI structure incorporates an oxynitride margin of the STI fill adjacent the silicon trench walls. A region of the oxynitride margin near the upper edges of the silicon trench walls includes oxynitride corners that are relatively thicker and contain a higher concentration of nitrogen as compared to the other regions of the oxynitride margin. The oxynitride features limit the STI fill height loss and also reduce the formation of divots in the STI fill below the level of the silicon substrate cause by hydrofluoric acid etching and other fabrication processes. Limiting STI fill height loss and the formation of divots improves the functions of the STI structure.

Abstract: A method and structure for an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for a semiconductor device. The STI structure incorporates an oxynitride top layer of the STI fill. Optionally, the STI structure incorporates an oxynitride margin of the STI fill adjacent the silicon trench walls. A region of the oxynitride margin near the upper edges of the silicon trench walls includes oxynitride corners that are relatively thicker and contain a higher concentration of nitrogen as compared to the other regions of the oxynitride margin. The oxynitride features limit the STI fill height loss and also reduce the formation of divots in the STI fill below the level of the silicon substrate cause by hydrofluoric acid etching and other fabrication processes. Limiting STI fill height loss and the formation of divots improves the functions of the STI structure.

Abstract: Ultra-thin oxide layers are formed utilizing low pressure processing to achieve self-limiting oxidation of substrates and provide ultra-thin oxide. The substrates to be processed can contain an initial dielectric layer such as an oxide layer, an oxynitride layer, a nitride layer, a high-k layer, or alternatively can lack an initial dielectric layer. The processing can be carried out using a batch type process chamber or, alternatively, using a single-wafer process chamber. One embodiment of the invention provides self-limiting oxidation of Si-substrates that results in SiO2 layers with a thickness of about 15 A, where the thickness of the SiO2 layers varies less than about 1 A over the substrates.

Abstract: Ultra-thin oxynitride layers are formed utilizing low-pressure processing to achieve self-limiting oxidation of substrates and provide ultra-thin oxynitride. The substrates to be processed can contain an initial dielectric layer such as an oxide layer, an oxynitride layer, or a nitride layer, or alternatively can lack an initial dielectric layer. The processing can be carried out using a batch type process chamber or a single-wafer process chamber.

Abstract: A method and structure for an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for a semiconductor device. The STI structure incorporates an oxynitride top layer of the STI fill. Optionally, the STI structure incorporates an oxynitride margin of the STI fill adjacent the silicon trench walls. A region of the oxynitride margin near the upper edges of the silicon trench walls includes oxynitride corners that are relatively thicker and contain a higher concentration of nitrogen as compared to the other regions of the oxynitride margin. The oxynitride features limit the STI fill height loss and also reduce the formation of divots in the STI fill below the level of the silicon substrate cause by hydrofluoric acid etching and other fabrication processes. Limiting STI fill height loss and the formation of divots improves the functions of the STI structure.

Abstract: Ultra-thin oxide layers are formed utilizing low pressure processing to achieve self-limiting oxidation of substrates and provide ultra-thin oxide. The substrates to be processed can contain an initial dielectric layer such as an oxide layer, an oxynitride layer, a nitride layer, a high-k layer, or alternatively can lack an initial dielectric layer. The processing can be carried out using a batch type process chamber or, alternatively, using a single-wafer process chamber. One embodiment of the invention provides self-limiting oxidation of Si-substrates that results in SiO2 layers with a thickness of about 15 A, where the thickness of the SiO2 layers varies less than about 1 A over the substrates.

Abstract: Ultra-thin oxynitride layers are formed utilizing low-pressure processing to achieve self-limiting oxidation of substrates and provide ultra-thin oxynitride. The substrates to be processed can contain an initial dielectric layer such as an oxide layer, an oxynitride layer, or a nitride layer, or alternatively can lack an initial dielectric layer. The processing can be carried out using a batch type process chamber or a single-wafer process chamber.