Abstract: A method for fabricating a patterned layer from a layer material. The method includes steps of: providing a substrate with at least one target region and at least one migration region; applying a layer material; adding a material to the layer material; and performing a heat treatment such that the layer material migrates from the migration region to the target region and a layer which is self-aligned and self-patterned with respect to the target region is formed. The method has the advantage that the layer material, which can often only be etched with difficulty, does not have to be patterned directly. The desired structure of the layer is predetermined by preliminarily structuring the substrate into a target region and a migration region, and is produced by the migration of the layer material as a result of the heat treatment.

Abstract: The crystallization temperature of a ferroelectric layer (3) (dielectric) for a storage capacitor can be lowered by applying a very thin (CeO2 layer (2) to a first platinum electrode layer (1) of the storage capacitor before the ferroelectric layer is deposited. The dielectric layer (3) deposited in amorphous state is then crystallized by a temperature treatment step at a temperature in the range between 590° C. and 620° C. A second electrode layer (4) is then applied to complete the storage capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ferroelectric RAM configuration, including a number of storage cells, each of which has a selection transistor and a capacitor device with a ferroelectric dielectric. The capacitor device includes at least two capacitors whose coercive voltages are different from each other.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a conducting connection through insulating layers by way of a contact hole and conducting materials with which the contact hole is filled. The method permits the production of a contact hole resembling the shape of a wineglass, into which conducting filling material and barrier layers can be inserted without the known problems such as void formation, overetching trenches, and dielectric close-off. It is possible in this way, for example, to produce an electric connection between the diffusion zone of a selection transistor and the lower electrode of a storage capacitor of large-scale integrated DRAM and FeRAM components with the aid of only a few mask steps.

Abstract: The crystallization temperature of a ferroelectric layer (3) (dielectric) for a storage capacitor can be lowered by applying a very thin CeO2 layer (2) to a first platinum electrode layer (1) of the storage capacitor before the ferroelectric layer is deposited. The dielectric layer (3) deposited in amorphous state is then crystallized by a temperature treatment step at a temperature in the range between 590° C. and 620° C. A second electrode layer (4) is then applied to complete the storage capacitor.

Abstract: The process provides a multistage procedure, in which, in the first step the layer is sputtered at low temperature, in the second step an RTP process is carried out in an inert atmosphere at medium or high temperature, and in the third step the layer is heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen at low or medium temperature. The levels of heating are considerably reduced compared with conventional processes, so that when the process is being employed for producing an integrated memory cell it is possible to prevent oxidation of an underlying barrier layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed containing a metal-oxide ferroelectric thin film. An inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted to reverse the degradation of ferroelectric properties caused by hydrogen. The inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted in an unreactive gas atmosphere at a temperature range from 300° to 1000° C. for a time period from one minute to two hours. Preferably, the metal-oxide thin film comprises layered superlattice material. Preferably, the layered superlattice material comprises strontium bismuth tantalate or strontium bismuth tantalum niobate. If the integrated circuit manufacture includes a forming-gas anneal, then the inert-gas recovery anneal is performed after the forming-gas anneal, preferably at or near the same temperature and for the same time duration as the forming-gas anneal.

Abstract: A semiconductor component has a capacitor and a resistor with a given resistance connected in parallel. The resistance of the resistor is lower than the resistance of the ferroelectric capacitor dielectric in order to prevent an undesired charging of the capacitor electrodes relative to one another. Methods for fabrication a semiconductor component having a capacitor and a resistor are also provided.

Abstract: The integrated semiconductor memory configuration has a semiconductor body in which selection transistors and storage capacitors are integrated. The storage capacitors have a dielectric layer configured between two electrodes. At least the upper electrode is constructed in a layered manner with a platinum layer, that is seated on the dielectric layer, and a thicker, base metal layer lying above the platinum layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a memory configuration that comprises a multiplicity of memory cells, and has storage capacitors whose first electrodes are configured in plate form in a parallel manner one above the other. These electrodes are in electrical contact with selection transistors of the memory cell through contact plugs having different lengths. The first electrodes preferably extend beyond the cell area of one memory cell.