Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes the step of forming an electrode on an integrated circuit substrate wherein the electrode covers a first portion of the integrated circuit substrate and wherein the electrode exposes a second portion of the integrated circuit substrate. An etch masking pattern including a plurality of ions is formed on the surface of the electrode wherein the etch masking pattern exposes portions of the surface of the electrode. The exposed portions of the electrode are etched using the etch masking pattern as an etching mask so that recesses are formed in the surface of the electrode thereby increasing a surface area thereof. The etch masking pattern is removed, a dielectric layer is formed on the electrode including the recesses, and a conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer opposite the electrode.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor device active regions include the steps of forming a buffer layer containing a material susceptible to oxidation, such as polycrystalline or amorphous silicon, on a semiconductor substrate. To inhibit any native oxide film on the buffer layer from facilitating the formation of field oxide isolation regions having bird's beaks, the native oxide film is converted to a nitrogen containing film, such as silicon oxynitride, by nitrating the native oxide film. The silicon oxynitride film can be formed by exposing the oxide film to a nitrogen containing plasma, implanting nitrogen ions into the oxide film or annealing the oxide film in a nitrogen containing atmosphere, for example. During the nitrating step, chemically active oxygen in the native oxide film becomes bound to the nitrogen incorporated therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising forming a first electrode by forming a conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming an etching mask on the conductive layer, etching the conductive layer and defining the conductive layer into cell units; and forming a dielectric film and a second electrode or the first electrode. Also disclosed is a method comprising forming a first electrode by forming a conductive structure on a semiconductor substrate, forming an etching mask on the conductive structure and etching the conductive structure; and forming a dielectric film and a second electrode on the first electrode. An insulating layer including pin holes such as a silicon nitride layer is formed on the conductive structure or the conductive layer; which is exposed under an oxidative atmosphere. The surface portion of the conductive structure or conductive layer is oxidized to form silicon oxide islands to be used as an etching mask.