Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which a lower electrode of a capacitor is composed of a polycrystalline silicon film having a surface area increased by surface roughening, an impurity is introduced into the polycrystalline silicon film by vapor phase diffusion in order to reduce the resistance of the lower electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit in which the storage capacitor has an increased capacitance and a decreased leakage current. The storage capacitor is formed by the steps of: forming a polysilicon bottom electrode having semispherical silicon crystals formed thereon; performing plasma nitriding on the surface of said bottom electrode at a temperature lower than 550° C., thereby forming a film of silicon nitride having a film thickness smaller than 1.5 nm; and depositing a film of amorphous tantalum pentoxide and then crystallizing said amorphous tantalum pentoxide. The silicon nitride film has improved resistance to oxidation and also has a reduced leakage current. As a result, the polysilicon bottom electrode becomes resistant to oxidation and the storage capacitor increases in capacitance and decreases in leakage current.

Abstract: A capacitor having an equivalent thickness of 3.0 nm or less, with a sufficient static capacitance and less leakage current in a reduced size, constituted by stacking an interfacial film 21 having a physical thickness of 2.5 nm or more for suppressing tunnel leakage current and a high dielectric film 22 comprising tantalum pentaoxide on lower electrode 19, 20 comprising rugged polycrystal silicon film, the interfacial film 21 comprising a nitride film formed by an LPCVD method, for example, from Al2O3, a mixed phase of Al2O3 and SiO2, ZrSiO4, HfSiO4, a mixed phase of Y2O3 and SiO2, and a mixed phase of La2O3 and SiO2.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit in which the storage capacitor has an increased capacitance and a decreased leakage current. The storage capacitor is formed by the steps of: forming a polysilicon bottom electrode having semispherical silicon crystals formed thereon; performing plasma nitriding on the surface of said bottom electrode at a temperature lower than 550° C., thereby forming a film of silicon nitride having a film thickness smaller than 1.5 nm; and depositing a film of amorphous tantalum pentoxide and then crystallizing said amorphous tantalum pentoxide. The silicon nitride film has improved resistance to oxidation and also has a reduced leakage current. As a result, the polysilicon bottom electrode becomes resistant to oxidation and the storage capacitor increases in capacitance and decreases in leakage current.

Abstract: A capacitor having an equivalent thickness of 3.0 nm or less, with a sufficient static capacitance and less leakage current in a reduced size, constituted by stacking an interfacial film 21 having a physical thickness of 2.5 nm or more for suppressing tunnel leakage current and a high dielectric film 22 comprising tantalum pentaoxide on lower electrode 19, 20 comprising rugged polycrystal silicon film, the interfacial film 21 comprising a nitride film formed by an LPCVD method, for example, from Al2O3, a mixed phase of Al2O3 and SiO2, ZrSiO4, HfSiO4, a mixed phase of Y2O3 and SiO2, and a mixed phase of La2O3 and SiO2.

Abstract: A diffusion preventive layer extending between the bottom surface of a lower electrode and an interconnection connecting the lower electrode to one of the diffusion layer of a switching transistor is self-aligned. As a result, side trench is produced since a hole pattern is formed by using a dummy film, and even if a contact plug of a memory section is misaligned with the diffusion preventive layer, the contact plug is out of direct contact with a dielectric film having a high permittivity. Hence, a highly reliable device can be obtained.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a capacitor having a lower electrode (102), a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric thin film (103), and an upper electrode (104) which are subsequently stacked. An impurity having an action of suppressing the catalytic activity of a metal or a conductive oxide constituting the electrode is added to the upper electrode (104). The addition of the impurity is effective to prevent inconveniences such as a reduction in capacitance, an insulation failure, and the peeling of the electrode due to hydrogen heat-treatment performed after formation of the upper electrode (104), and to improve the long-term reliability.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric film, and a top electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the angle of each of the main cross sectional sides of the ferroelectric film relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate is less than 75 degrees. Forming the ferroelectric film into the trapezoid in cross section having such an angle provides a microscopic capacitor without electrical short-circuit between the top and bottom electrodes if the top electrode, the ferroelectric film, and the bottom electrode are etched with single photolithography process step. The novel technique implements a microscopic memory cell structure suitable for highly integrated memory devices.

Abstract: A diffusion preventive layer extending between the bottom surface of a lower electrode and an interconnection connecting the lower electrode to one of the diffusion layers of a switching transistor is self-aligned. As a result, no side trench is produced since a hole pattern is formed by using a dummy film, and even if a contact plug of a memory section is misaligned with the diffusion preventive layer, the contact plug is out of direct contact with a dielectric film having a high permittivity. Hence, a highly reliable device can be obtained.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory which is improved in reliability by preventing the lowering of capacitance and defective insulation, especially, electrode delamination. The semiconductor memory has an integrated capacitor composed of a capacitor structure constituted of an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a capacitor insulating film (of a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric thin film) which is held between electrodes and serves as a capacitor insulating film, and a protective insulating film which covers the capacitor structure and is formed by plasma treatment after electrode formation. An oxygen introducing layer is formed on the surface of the capacitor insulating film. The oxygen introducing layer can be formed on the surface of the high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric material by introducing oxygen to the boundary between the electrode and the material by conducting heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere before the protective insulating film (SiO2 passivation film) is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a capacitor having a lower electrode (102), a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric thin film (103), and an upper electrode (104) which are subsequently stacked. An impurity having an action of suppressing the catalytic activity of a metal or a conductive oxide constituting the electrode is added to the upper electrode (104). The addition of the impurity is effective to prevent inconveniences such as a reduction in capacitance, an insulation failure, and the peeling of the electrode due to hydrogen heat-treatment performed after formation of the upper electrode (104), and to improve the long-term reliability.

Abstract: The upper electrode of a capacitor is constituted of laminated films which respectively act as a Schottky barrier layer, a hydrogen diffusion preventing layer, a reaction preventing layer, and an adsorption inhibiting layer. Therefore, the occurrence of a capacitance drop, imperfect insulation, and electrode peeling in the semiconductor device due to a reducing atmosphere can be prevented. In addition, the long-term reliability of the device can be improved.

Abstract: A diffusion preventive layer extending between the bottom surface of a lower electrode and an interconnection connecting the lower electrode to one of the diffusion layers of a switching transistor is self-aligned. As a result, no side trench is produced since a hole pattern is formed by using a dummy film, and even if a contact plug of a memory section is misaligned with the diffusion preventive layer, the contact plug is out of direct contact with a dielectric film having a high permittivity. Hence, a highly reliable device can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device having ferroelectric capacitors above a principal surface of a substrate and a process for producing the same wherein an oriented polycrystal silicon film or an amorphous silicon film 52 is disposed on the whole area beneath a conductive diffusion barrier, 61 or 73, under a lower electrode, 62 or 74, of each ferroelectric capacitor formed in the device. As a result, the conductive diffusion barrier, the lower electrode and the capacitor ferroelectric film become oriented films; therefore, it is possible to reduce the signal variation in capacitors even in minute semiconductor devices, and obtain a highly reliable semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit in which the storage capacitor has an increased capacitance and a decreased leakage current. The storage capacitor is formed by the steps of: forming a polysilicon bottom electrode having semispherical silicon crystals formed thereon; performing plasma nitriding on the surface of said bottom electrode at a temperature lower than 550° C., thereby forming a film of silicon nitride having a film thickness smaller than 1.5 nm; and depositing a film of amorphous tantalum pentoxide and then crystallizing said amorphous tantalum pentoxide. The silicon nitride film has improved resistance to oxidation and also has a reduced leakage current. As a result, the polysilicon bottom electrode becomes resistant to oxidation and the storage capacitor increases in capacitance and decreases in leakage current.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory which is improved in reliability by preventing the lowering of capacitance and defective insulation, especially, electrode delamination. The semiconductor memory has an integrated capacitor composed of a capacitor structure constituted of an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a capacitor insulating film (of a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric thin film) which is held between electrodes and serves as a capacitor insulating film, and a protective insulating film which covers the capacitor structure and is formed by plasma treatment after electrode formation. An oxygen introducing layer is formed on the surface of the capacitor insulating film. The oxygen introducing layer can be formed on the surface of the high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric material by introducing oxygen to the boundary between the electrode and the material by conducting heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere before the protective insulating film (SiO2 passivation film) is formed.

Abstract: The upper electrode of a capacitor is constituted of laminated films which act to prevent hydrogen atoms from reaching the capacitor electrodes and degrading performance. In one example, a four layer upper electrode respectively act as a Schottky barrier layer, a hydrogen diffusion preventing layer, a reaction preventing layer, and an adsorption inhibiting layer. Therefore, the occurrence of a capacitance drop, imperfect insulation, and electrode peeling in the semiconductor device due to a reducing atmosphere can be prevented. In addition, the long-term reliability of the device can be improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric film, and a top electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the angle of each of the main cross sectional sides of the ferroelectric film relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate is less than 75 degrees. Forming the ferroelectric film into the trapezoid in cross section having such an angle provides a microscopic capacitor without electrical short-circuit between the top and bottom electrodes if the top electrode, the ferroelectric film, and the bottom electrode are etched with single photolithography process step. The novel technique implements a microscopic memory cell structure suitable for highly integrated memory devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric film, and a top electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the angle of each of the main cross sectional sides of the ferroelectric film relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate is less than 75 degrees. Forming the ferroelectric film into the trapezoid in cross section having such an angle provides a microscopic capacitor without electrical short-circuit between the top and bottom electrodes if the top electrode, the ferroelectric film, and the bottom electrode are etched with single photolithography process step. The novel technique implements a microscopic memory cell structure suitable for highly integrated memory devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory which is improved in reliability by preventing the lowering of capacitance and defective insulation, especially, electrode delamination caused by the formation of the passivation film (insulating film) of a capacitor using a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric material by plasma processing at a relatively low temperature and a method for manufacturing the memory. The semiconductor memory has an integrated capacitor composed of a capacitor structure constituted of an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a capacitor insulating film (of a high-dielectric-constant or ferroelectric thin film) which is held between electrodes and serves as a capacitor insulating film and a protective insulating film which covers the capacitor structure and is formed by plasma treatment. An oxygen introducing layer is further formed on the surface of the thin film constituting the capacitor insulating film.